Table 3 Characteristics of body mass index (BMI) assessment

Sakr [31] (2008)

431 patients with septic shock from 2878 patients with BMIs recorded in a survey of 3147 critically ill patients from 198 European countries. The total number of patients with septic shock out of all 3147 patients was not reported

Based either on recorded weight and height or on provider’s clinical estimate

At ICU admission

2878/3147 (91 %)

Wurzinger [15] (2010)

301 (88 %) patients with BMIs recorded from 343 patients with septic shock admitted to a single ICU in Austria. A total of 2700 ICU admissions were screened to obtain the 343 patients with septic shock

Based on recorded weight and height

At ICU admission

301/343 (88 %)

Adamzik [32] (2011)

125 (81 %) patients with BMIs recorded from 154 patients with severe sepsis admitted to a single ICU in Germany. Total number of patients screened not reported

Not reported

Within 24 hrs of diagnosis

125/154 (81 %)

Arabi [17] (2013)

2882 (33 %) patients with BMIs recorded from 8670 patients admitted with septic shock to 28 ICUs in Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the USA

Based on recorded weight and height

At ICU admission

2882/8670 (33 %)

Wacharasint [16] (2013)

730 (94 %) patients with BMIs recorded from 778 patients with septic shock admitted to 27 ICUs in Australia, Canada and the USA. A total of 6229 patients were screened for the trial and 802 were randomized. Number of patients with septic shock not enrolled is not noted

Based on recorded weight and height

At study enrollment for septic shock

730/778 (94 %)

Sakr [33] (2015)

2696 patients with sepsis from 8829 patients with BMIs recorded in a worldwide audit of 10,069 patients admitted to 730 ICUs in 84 countries. The total number of patients with sepsis out of all 10,069 patients was not reported. Sepsis was defined as infection with organ failure

Based either on recorded weight and height or on provider’s clinical estimate

Before onset of critical illness or at hospital admission

8829/10,069 (88 %)