Enhancing the SOFA Score by Developing a Delta-SOFA Score: A Retrospective Analysis

Abstract Background: The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score quantifies organ dysfunction in critically ill patients but has prognostic limitations. This study evaluates the Delta-SOFA score for improved prediction of mortality and other clinical outcomes in a retrospective analysis of severely injured patients, highlighting its potential for optimized resource allocation. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted in a cohort of patients with severe injuries. The Delta-SOFA score was calculated based on serial organ function assessments and compared with established scoring systems regarding its prognostic accuracy for mortality and additional outcome parameters. Results: The Delta-SOFA score did not demonstrate significantly greater predictive accuracy for mortality or predefined clinical outcomes compared to the conventional SOFA score. However, dynamic changes in the Delta-SOFA score within the first 48 hours post-trauma correlated with clinical outcomes, suggesting improved risk stratification and optimized resource utilization. Conclusion: The Delta-SOFA score expands upon the conventional SOFA assessment by incorporating dynamic changes over time and demonstrates good predictive accuracy. Its correlation with ventilation duration and mortality indicates potential clinical relevance. Future studies should validate its application in larger cohorts and assess its integration into clinical decision-making processes.