The effect of body mass index on the outcome of critically ill surgical patients.

Background: The incidence of obesity is rising, and an increasing number of obese patients are admitted to surgical intensive care units (SICUs). However, it is not clear whether obesity is an independent risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality in SICU patients. We examined the effect of obesity on morbidity and mortality in patients admitted to the SICU in this study.

The effect of low body mass index on outcome in critically ill surgical patients.

Background: Body mass index (BMI) has been correlated with complications and outcome in surgical patients at the two extremes of the nutrition spectrum.

Objective: To study the relationship between BMI, outcome, hospital length of stay, and complications in patients admitted to the surgical intensive care unit (SICU).

Design: Review of prospectively acquired data in SICU patients.