Sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score as a predictor of acute kidney injury in COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: The sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score is a tool used to describe organ failure in critically ill patients. Studies have showed that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who develop predictor of acute kidney injury (AKI) often have an increased SOFA. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the potential of SOFA score as a predictor AKI in COVID-19 patients. Methods: A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Google Scholar, EBSCO-Host, and ProQuest. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale . Result: Out of the 9 studies reviewed, 7 showed a significant association between SOFA score and AKI. The meta-analysis of 3 studies gave mean differences of 1.66 in favor of the AKI group (95% CI 1.12 - 2.21). The heterogeneity was low (Tau2 result = 0.06, I2 result = 22% with p = 0.28) and the significant results for the overall effect showed a value of p < 0.00001. Conclusion: The SOFA score has the potential to be a good predictor of AKI development in COVID-19 patients, with a significant mean difference.