USE OF THE APACHE-II SCORING SYSTEM TO DETERMINE MORTALITY OF GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY PATIENTS IN THE INTENSIVE-CARE-UNIT

Objective: To determine if an elevated score on the Acute Physiology a nd Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scoring system is associat ed with mortality of acutely ill gynecologic oncology patients. Method s: Gynecologic oncology patients admitted to the surgical intensive ca re unit (ICU) were identified from the ICU data base. Their admission APACHE II score and type of gynecologic cancer were also extracted fro m the data base. Charts were reviewed to determine the disease status and reason for admission to the surgical ICU. Patient mortality was co rrelated with APACHE II scores. Results: Forty-five gynecologic oncolo gy patients were admitted to the surgical ICU from June 1988 to Januar y 1992. They had a mean age of 62 years and various cancers: ovarian ( 24), cervical (16), and endometrial (five). The mean APACHE II score w as 12 (range 2-26). Eight of 45 (18%) patients died. There was a signi ficant correlation between APACHE II scores and mortality; patients wi th an APACHE II score of 20 or greater had a 78% risk of death compare d to a 3% risk if the score was less than 20 (P < .001, chi(2) test). Conclusion: Elevated APACHE II scores are associated with mortality in acutely ill gynecologic oncology patients.