Patient population: retrospective study of patients near Stockholm, Sweden from 1971-1983 admitted with meningococcal disease, either as septicemia or meningitis
Sensitive but nonspecific criteria for risk of death:
(1) A systolic blood pressure on admission < 100 mm Hg
High mortality risk patients:
(1) systolic blood pressure < 100 mm Hg
(2) platelet count <= 125,000 per µL, or extensive petechiae
(3) body temperature > 39°C
Other observations:
(1) The presence of meningism was a favorable prognostic sign.
(2) The presence of minor petechiae was not associated with higher mortality.
(3) The CSF polymorphonuclear leukocyte count is lower in fatal cases.
