Patient centred variables with univariate associations with unplanned ICU admission: a systematic review

Table 3 Patient centred variables associated with unplanned ICU admission

Variable	High Quality +'ve Association (ref)	Moderate Quality +'ve Association (ref)	Low Quality +'ve Association (ref)	Negative association (ref)	Overall	Category
History of congestive heart failure (cardiovascular disorder)	[21, 29]				Strong	Comorbidities
History of diabetes (metabolic disorder)	[21, 29]				Strong	Comorbidities
Male	[20, 21, 28]				Strong	Demographic
Increasing age	[18, 20, 21, 28]	[16]	[27]		Strong	Demographic
Diagnosis of hepatic disease (gastrointestinal disorder)	[28, 30]				Strong	Diagnosis
Higher heart rate (> 111 bpm or higher mean in ICU group)	[18, 20, 29, 30]	[16]	[27]		Strong	Vital signs
Higher respiratory rate (> 20 bpm or higher in ICU group)	[18, 20, 30]	[16]	[27]		Strong	Vital signs
Higher temperature	[18, 20]				Strong	Vital signs
Lower arterial oxygen saturation (< 94% or lower in ICU group)	[18, 20]	[16]			Strong	Vital signs
Lower diastolic blood pressure	[18, 20]	[16]	[27]		Strong	Vital signs
Lower systolic blood pressure	[18, 20]				Strong	Vital signs
Female				[18, 28]	Negative	Demographic
History of respiratory disorder	[21]		[27]		Moderate	Comorbidities
Urea (higher in ICU arm)	[20]	[24]	[27]		Moderate	Laboratory tests
White cell count (higher in ICU arm)	[20]	[24]			Moderate	Laboratory tests

The number in the boxes are references. Both studies from Tsai et al. [29, 30] come from the same patient data base. In accordance with the modified Grading System for Strength of Evidence, these two studies were only counted once (and weighted as a single high-quality study when shown together)

ISSN: 1472-6947