Table 2 Appraisal of scientific evidence according to GRADE - Association between vital signs/chief complaints and acute mortality after arrival at the emergency department.

Respiratory rate predicts 30-day mortality

11 751

1 study [22]

1.9

Insufficient

⊕○○○

Only one study (-1)

Oxygen saturation predicts 48-hour mortality or in-hospital mortality

17 334

2 studies [22, 23]

1.4

1.7

Limited

⊕⊕○○

Pulse predicts 30-day mortality

11 751

1 study [22]

1.7

Insufficient

⊕○○○

Only one study (-1)

Level of consciousness predicts 48-hour mortality or in-hospital mortality

18 320

3 studies [22–24]

2.1

1.7

11.7

Limited

⊕⊕○○

Age predicts 30-day mortality

28 446

4 studies [22–25]

1.7

1.3

2.6

1.1

Moderate

⊕⊕⊕○

Upgrading due to effect size and dose-response effect (+1)