Shock epidemiology and outcomes among internal medicine patients.

Background: Shock, characterised by circulatory hypoperfusion and cellular hypoxia, represents a critical medical condition requiring immediate attention. Despite its significance, there are limited data on shock incidence and outcomes, particularly within the context of Thailand.

Objectives: This retrospective observational study aimed to investigate the incidence, management and outcomes of shock patients admitted to the internal medicine department of Siriraj Hospital, a referral university hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Additionally, the study sought to identify factors associated with mortality among these patients.

Methods: Medical records of patients admitted were reviewed. Shock cases were identified based on specific diagnostic criteria, and demographic and clinical data were extracted for analysis.

Results: A total of 125 patients were included in the study, with septic shock being the most prevalent condition (40.0%), followed by cardiogenic shock (39.2%), hypovolaemic shock (18.4%) and obstructive shock (2.4%). The overall intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate was 46.7%, varying among shock types, with cardiogenic shock patients exhibiting the highest rate. The overall 28-day mortality rate was 23.7%, with septic shock patients admitted to the ICU demonstrating the highest mortality rate (50.0%). The multivariate analysis identified factors associated with mortality, including colloid resuscitation (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.10 (1.08 - 8.9), p=0.036); vasopressor dose of more than 0.2 µg/kg/min (aOR 4.38 (1.39 - 13.74), p=0.011); and renal replacement therapy (aOR 3.43 (1.04 - 11.28), p=0.043).

Conclusion: This study provides significant insights into shock incidence, management and outcomes in a tertiary referral hospital in Thailand. It also highlights challenges related to ICU bed availability and identifies predictors of mortality. Early recognition and tailored interventions are crucial for improving outcomes in shock patients.

Contribution of the study: This study provides the comprehensive evaluation of shock incidence, management and outcomes among internal medicine patients. By identifying critical care resource limitations and key predictors of mortality, the findings offer valuable insights for improving early recognition and tailored interventions in resource-constrained settings.