Between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2001, 248 patients were studied (among the 347 patients who were admitted in our general ICU). Finally, 125 patients were stratified in our study. The rest of the patients were excluded because the length stay in ICU was limited (< 5 days). All patients were divided into four groups according to the reason for admission.
Group A
56 multiple trauma (43 men, 13 women, mean age 49.2 years, mean ICU stay 13.4 days, APACHE II score 17–22).
Group B
19 postoperative (10 men, nine women, mean age 49.5 years, mean ICU stay 11.7 days, APACHE II score 20–24).
Group C
19 pathologic (12 men, seven women, mean age 50.7 years, mean ICU stay 14.8 days, APACHE II score 22–25).
Group D
31 cerebral stroke (18 men, 13 women, mean age 49.5 years, mean ICU stay 14.2 days, APACHE II score 18–23). Each group was divided in two subgroups: (I) patients possessing early (days 0–2) signs of infection (elevated WBC, CRP, temperature/reduced platelets, fibrinogen/positive cultures); (II) patients free of early signs of infection.