Table 1 Patient characteristics in the protocol and control groups
| Â | Protocol | Control |
|---|---|---|
Characteristics | group | group |
n | 47 | 183 |
Sex (n [%]) | Â | Â |
   Male | 19 (40.4) | 106 (57.9) |
   Female | 28 (59.6) | 77 (42.1) |
Age (years; mean ± SD) | 60 ± 18 | 60 ± 18 |
Type of admission (n [%]) | Â | Â |
   Medical | 25 (53.2) | 117 (64.2) |
   Surgical | 22 (46.8) | 66 (35.8) |
SAPS II (mean ± SD) | 47 ± 16 | 47 ± 15 |
Presence of ARDS during ICU stay | 11 (23.4) | 20 (10.9) |
   (n [%]) |  |  |
Presence of pneumonia during | 35 (74.5) | 58 (31.7) |
   ICU stay (n [%]) |  |  |