title: Prevalence of intra-abdominal hypertension in critically ill patients: a multicentre epidemiological study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) can cause dysfunction of several organs and raise mortality, little information is available on the incidence and risk factors for IAH in critically ill patients. This study assessed the prevalence of IAH and its risk factors in a mixed population of intensive care patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multicentre, prospective 1-day point-prevalence epidemiological study conducted in 13 ICUs of six countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-seven patients admitted for more than 24 h to one of the ICUs during the 1-day study period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) was measured four times (every 6 h) by the bladder pressure method. Data included the demographics, medical or surgical type of admission, SOFA score, etiological factors such as abdominal surgery, haemoperitoneum, abdominal infection, massive fluid resuscitation, and ileus and predisposing conditions such as hypothermia, acidosis, polytransfusion, coagulopathy, sepsis, liver dysfunction, pneumonia and bacteraemia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We enrolled 97 patients, mean age 64+/-15 years, 57 (59%) medical and 40 (41%) surgical admission, SOFA score of 6.5+/-4.0. Mean IAP was 9.8+/-4.7 mmHg. The prevalence of IAH (defined as IAP 12 mmHg or more) was 50.5 and 8.2% had abdominal compartment syndrome (defined as IAP 20 mmHg or more). The only risk factor significantly associated with IAH was the body mass index, while massive fluid resuscitation, renal and coagulation impairment were at limit of significance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although we found a quite high prevalence of IAH, no risk factors were reliably associated with IAH; consequently, to get valid information about IAH, IAP needs to be measured.
authors.affiliation: Medical Intensive Care Unit, ACZA Campus Stuivenberg, Lange Beeldekensstraat 267, 2060 Antwerp, Belgium. manu.malbrain@ skynet.be
authors.forename: Manu L N G
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Malbrain
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chiumello
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pelosi
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wilmer
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brienza
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Malcangi
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bihari
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Innes
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Singer
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Japiassu
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kurtop
authors.forename: Bart L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: De Keulenaer
authors.forename: Ronny
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Daelemans
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Del Turco
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cosimini
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ranieri
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jacquet
authors.forename: Pierre-François
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Laterre
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gattinoni
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies