The ROX index (Index combining the respiratory rate with oxygenation) is a prognostic factor for acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Abstract

BackgroundThere is no existing reliable and practical method for predicting the prognosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).ObjectiveWe aimed to clarify the association between the ROX index, which is calculated as the ratio of peripheral oxygen saturation divided by the fraction of inspired oxygen to the respiratory rate, and the prognosis of patients with ARDS under ventilator support.MethodsIn this single-center retrospective cohort study from prospectively collected database, eligible patients were categorized into three groups based on ROX tertiles. The primary outcome was the 28-day survival, and the secondary outcome was 28-day liberation from ventilator support. We performed multivariable analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model.ResultsAmong 93 eligible patients, 24 (26%) patients died. The patients were divided into three groups according to the ROX index (ConclusionsThe ROX index at 24 h after initiating ventilator support is a predictor of outcomes in patients with ARDS and might inform initiation of more advanced treatments.