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Improving retrospective ARDS case-finding using a simple 72-h physiologic persistence rule

delete2026-04-30
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D
Dominic C. Marshall *
B
Brijesh V. Patel
A
Anthony C. Gordon
D
David B. Antcliffe
S
Sonali Parbhoo
M
Matthieu Komorowski
DOI:10.1186/s40635-026-00901-9delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Retrospective studies frequently use single-time-point Berlin physiologic criteria (PaO2/FiO2 < 300 mm Hg plus positive end-expiratory pressure ≥ 5 cm H2O) to identify acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, transient hypoxaemia is common among critically ill patients and often does not represent ARDS. Using these screens may overestimate ARDS prevalence and yield a cohort inconsistent with those seen in clinical trials. We sought to determine whether a 72-h persistence criterion for hypoxaemia improves the accuracy of ARDS case identification and evaluate the additional case-finding value of radiology keyword searches and ICD-codes. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the MIMIC-IV database (2008–2019) for derivation and a UK ICU dataset (Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service Trust, 2009–2024) for external validation. All patients meeting Berlin physiologic criteria for at least 72 h were identified. From MIMIC-IV, we randomly selected 2000 patients who met 72-h persistence criteria for expert adjudication based on detailed review of clinical notes, imaging, and echocardiography, classifying them as ARDS, non-ARDS acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure, or possible ARDS. Sensitivity analyses with shorter durations (≥ 24 and ≥ 48 h) were performed. Diagnostic performance of radiology keyword searches and ARDS-specific ICD-9/10 codes were compared to expert adjudication. Of 18,621 patients who ever met physiologic criteria, 3940 met the 72-h persistence threshold. In a random sample of 2000 from this 72-h MIMIC-IV cohort, expert adjudication identified ARDS in 49.7% (95% CI, 48–52%); in the external UK validation cohort, 56% (95% CI, 46–66%) were adjudicated as ARDS. ARDS prevalence significantly declined with shorter persistence requirements: 21% after 48 h, 8% after 24 h, and 6% with single isolated measurements. Within the 72-h persistence criterion enriched sample, the highest performing radiology keyword search set provided limited sensitivity (49%) and moderate specificity (76%), whereas ICD codes had higher sensitivity (76%) but low specificity (47%). Berlin physiologic criteria alone were inadequate for retrospective ARDS identification. A ≥ 72-h persistence rule improved cohort enrichment but did not define ARDS, with substantial residual misclassification remaining after physiologic screening. Persistence should therefore be viewed as a pragmatic enrichment strategy rather than a definitive retrospective ARDS label.
Keywords:
Acute respiratory distress syndrome
Identification
Phenotyping
Case-finding
Persistence
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Journal

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental cover
Intensive Care Medicine Experimental
IF:
3.1
Papers:
283
Citations:
1.6K

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S
School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
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Citations: 3
Charing Cross Hospital cover
Charing Cross Hospital
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Department of Surgery and Cancer
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