Sepsis Research Challenges Use of qSOFA Score

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the University of Sydney recently published a study assessing the effectiveness of the quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score in predicting mortality in septic dogs. The study, published in Veterinary Evidence, found that the use of qSOFA was not consistently predictive of mortality in septic dogs. However, the score may be useful as a supplementary tool for early identification of at-risk patients and aiding in clinical decision-making. The study's findings suggest that the qSOFA score should not be used as a standalone prognostic tool for dogs with sepsis.

Key Takeaways:

  • The quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score was not consistently predictive of mortality in septic dogs.
  • The qSOFA score was not found to be predictive of mortality in dogs with severe sepsis and septic shock in one study.
  • However, the score was found to have good discrimination between survivors and non-survivors in two other studies.
  • A higher score or an increase in score may be used to identify patients at risk of deterioration and trigger further investigations.
  • The qSOFA score should only be used as a complementary tool to assist with management and monitoring, not to determine prognosis for individual patients.
  • The study suggests that clinician judgment should not be replaced by the qSOFA score in decision-making.
  • The score may be used in conjunction with other observations to aid in clinical decision-making.

Statistics:

  • 4 studies were critically reviewed in the research.
  • The studies collectively provided weak evidence for the use of qSOFA as a standalone prognostic tool for dogs with sepsis.
  • The qSOFA score was not predictive of mortality in 2 out of 4 studies.
  • The odds of mortality were higher for scores of 2 or more in 2 studies.

Sources:

  • Stefanoni, et al. (2025). "The quick sequential organ failure assessment score as a predictor of mortality in septic dogs." Veterinary Evidence, 10(4), 1-10. (doi: 10.18849/ve.v10i4.723)
  • Veterinary Evidence. (2025). "The quick sequential organ failure assessment score as a predictor of mortality in septic dogs." (https://veterinaryevidence.org/index.php/ve/article/view/723)
  • The Publisher for Veterinary Evidence is RCVS Knowledge.