Features that may predict a severe attack, present within 48 hours of admission to hospital
| Modified from the World Association guidelines.3 | |
| Initial assessment | Clinical impression of severity |
| Body mass index >30 | |
| Pleural effusion on chest radiograph | |
| APACHE II score >8 | |
| 24 h after admission | Clinical impression of severity |
| APACHE II score >8 | |
| Glasgow score 3 or more | |
| Persisting organ failure, especially if multiple | |
| C reactive protein >150 mg/l | |
| 48 h after admission | Clinical impression of severity |
| Glasgow score 3 or more | |
| C reactive protein >150 mg/l | |
| Persisting organ failure for 48 h | |
| Multiple or progressive organ failure | |