The medical term that is used to describe the failure of two or more organ systems is multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). This is a serious health condition that can lead to death without immediate treatment (including life support). While it may occur due to a traumatic injury or severe infection, it may also happen due to other causes.
Furthermore, MODS is a life-threatening disorder in which several organs in the body suddenly stop working. Generally, organ systems are certain groups of organs that work together to perform vital functions in the body (including digesting, urinating, breathing, and others). Check the most commonly affected organs below:
Sometimes, MODS is called multiple organ failure or multiple organ system failure.
Generally, this health condition is common during acute critical illness. According to some research, it may happen in about 28% to 88% of people with a critical illness. Moreover, MODS is one of the leading causes of death in people admitted to the surgical ICU (intensive care unit).
What Organ Systems Can MODS Affect?
This health condition is often diagnosed when two or more organs are affected. Check some examples below:
- Respiratory system – MODS can cause respiratory failure by affecting your lungs. In this case, the lungs cannot support your breathing needs and send less oxygen to the tissues in the body. One serious form of MODS is acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) that requires immediate mechanical ventilation to help you breathe.
- Cardiovascular system – This organ system carries blood throughout the body. When the heart muscle is too weak or stiff to pump blood, it may lead to heart failure and circulatory shock (hypotension). Usually, inflammation associated with MODS can dilate the blood vessels and reduce blood flow to multiple organs.
- Hematologic system – Sometimes, MODS can negatively affect the proteins in the blood, which may lead to blood clots and hemorrhage (bleeding). In such cases, people often develop skin bruises or internal bleeding in the stomach. One of the most serious problems with the hematologic system is disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
- Neurologic system – The brain is a vital organ that controls multiple body systems. One of the problems associated with MODS is brain failure (also known as neurological failure) that happens due to an injury to the brain or another part of the central nervous system (including the spinal cord and nerves). Reduced blood flow to the brain may occur due to inflammation, blood clots, or problems in the hematologic system.
- Renal system – Another serious problem is kidney failure. Normally, the kidneys filter waste products from the blood. When they are affected, the ability to filter toxins from the blood is reduced, causing kidney failure. It may also lead to edema (fluid buildup).
- Hepatic system – MODS may also affect the liver and affect its ability to function properly. Typically, the liver produces bile (a yellow or green acid that helps the body break down foods), filtering out old red blood cells, and performs other functions. Reduced blood flow or inflammation can cause liver failure. In addition, liver failure may cause other organ failures.
What Are The Symptoms of Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome?
People who suffer from MODS often experience different symptoms because it affects different organ systems in the body. However, the symptoms range from mild to severe. Check some examples below:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Tiredness
- Fever
- Chills
- Appetite changes
- Shallow breathing
- Confusion
- Difficulty focusing or concentrating
- Irregular or fast heartbeats
- Chest or abdominal (belly) pain
- Swelling in the hands or feet (edema)
- Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
- Cyanosis (blue or gray tint to the skin, lips, tongue, gums, nails, or eyes)
- Loss of consciousness
If you or a loved one experiences any of the symptoms listed above, immediately contact your healthcare professional. Otherwise, it may lead to life-threatening complications (such as permanent damage).
Causes and Risk Factors
MODS can occur due to any major illness, infection, or injury. However, physicians are not sure about what exactly causes MODS. Some recent studies have shown that widespread inflammation and reduced blood flow are the causes of MODS. Usually, people encounter multiple health conditions until MODS occur. For example, an overreaction of the immune system that causes widespread inflammation and other conditions. Check the most common causes of MODS below:
- Traumatic injury – Examples include a motor vehicle crash, severe burns, and a stabbing or a gunshot wound.
- Pancreatitis – This condition causes inflammation of the pancreas. It often happens due to the misuse of alcoholic drinks, certain medicines, or gallstones.
- Sepsis or septic shock – This is a dangerous bacterial or viral infection that causes inflammation throughout the body.
- Heart attack – People usually experience this condition due to a blockage in a blood vessel that supplies the heart muscle with blood.
- Liver failure – Possible causes include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, fatty liver disease, alcohol use disorder, and cirrhosis.
- Toxic injury and poisoning – People who are exposed to certain toxins for long periods are at increased risk of MODS. These include acute or chronic (long-term) drug or alcohol use, old insulation material (such as Asbestos), pesticides, and some bacterial infections.
While anyone can develop MODS, some factors may increase your risk even more. These include chronic health conditions, a weakened immune system, sepsis, malnutrition, and kidney disease.
What Organs Fail First in Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome?
More than 50% of people who develop MODS have problems with the lungs. However, physicians do not fully understand why MODS mostly affects the lungs.
How to Prevent Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome?
Unfortunately, there is no sure way to prevent some MODS causes, and there are no specific medicines that may help prevent this condition. However, physicians may recommend some tips that may help protect your organ systems. For example:
- Wear a seatbelt while in an automobile and protective padding while playing high-impact sports to prevent trauma to organs.
- Get vaccinated against serious infections
- Antihypertensives to treat high blood pressure
- Limit or avoid medicines and other things that cause bleeding in the stomach, including alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, and NSAIDs
Diagnosis
Physicians often perform multiple tests to diagnose MODS. However, the diagnosis often starts with a physical examination to check for abnormalities linked to the disease. Check some tests below:
- Blood tests
- Kidney and liver function test
- Blood and tissue cultures to check for infections
- Arterial blood gas
- Echocardiogram
- Imaging tests – The following tests are used by doctors to get detailed images of different organs and tissues in the body (including the brain, liver, kidneys, heart, and others). They often perform ultrasound, CT (computerized tomography) scans, or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans.
Treatment
The treatments are often different among people with MODS. Check some of them below:
- Vasopressor medicines to increase blood flow through the blood vessels and tissues
- Antibiotics to treat bacterial infections (such as sepsis, which is a common cause of MODS)
- Oxygen therapy
- Mechanical ventilation
- Dialysis to help the kidneys remove excess water and toxins from the blood
- IV (intravenous) fluids to treat hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to remove CO2 and add oxygen to the blood
- MARS (molecular absorbent recirculating system) to help the liver function properly
- Surgery to treat severe injuries
- Transplant surgery to replace an affected or failing organ
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after treatment will I feel better?
Usually, the recovery time is different among people because it depends on several factors. These include the underlying causes, the severity of the MODS, existing health problems, your response to treatment, and others. For more details, discuss it with your physician.
What is the survival rate for multiple organ dysfunction syndrome?
According to some research, the survival rate is about 50% to 60% for people with MODS.
When should I go to the ER?
Immediately call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room (ER) if you or a loved one experiences the following symptoms. These include chest pain (angina), dyspnea (shortness of breath), fainting, severe weakness and tiredness, and signs of heart failure. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any other questions.
