Association between lung ultrasound score and risk of mortality among acute respiratory distress syndrome patients: a meta-analysis

To clarify the relationship of lung ultrasound score (LUS) with the risk of mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Several electronic databases were searched up to 14 October 2024. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were combined to assess the relationship between LUS and mortality in ARDS patients. Subgroup analysis stratified by the age and grouping method by LUS were further performed. Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the stability of pooled results and Begg’s funnel plot and Egger’s test were applied to detect publication bias. Sixteen studies with 1762 patients were included. Overall pooled results demonstrated that elevated LUS was significantly related to increased risk of mortality among ARDS patients (OR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.45–3.63, P &lt; 0.001). Besides, subgroup analysis stratified by the age (adult: OR = 2.01, <i>p</i> = 0.004; child: OR = 15.29, P &lt; 0.001) and grouping method by LUS (dichotomous: OR = 5.60, <i>p</i> = 0.001; continuous: OR = 1.65, P &lt; 0.001) revealed similar results. Sensitivity analysis indicated that pooled results were stable and Begg’s funnel plot and Egger’s test (<i>p</i> = 0.946) manifested that no significant publication bias was observed. Our meta-analysis indicates that a higher LUS is significantly associated with increased risk of mortality in ARDS patients.