Table 2 Patient characteristics among tier 1 articles (n = 53)

Age (n = 53)^a

54 ± 16^b

Male Sex, n (%) [n = 46]^a

31 (67)

ICU admission, n (%) [n = 38]

33 (87)

APACHE II Score ≥ 15, n (%) [n = 27]^a

17 (63)

SOFA (n = 18)^a

10 (3–15)^c

Sepsis syndrome at onset of infection, n (%) (n = 24)

 Sepsis

6 (25)

 Severe sepsis or septic shock

12 (50)