| Additional investigations, n (%) (n = 205; 77%) | Underlying disease already apparent, n (%) (n = 31; 12%) | No additional investigation, no apparent cause, n (%) (n = 31; 12%) | Total, n (%) (n = 267; 100%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Underlying cause established | 179 (87) | 31 (100) | 0 (0) | 210 (79) |
| Autoimmune disease | 41 (23) | 10 (32) | – | 51 (24) |
| Infection | 68 (38) | – | – | 68 (32) |
| Renal failure | 4 (2) | – | – | 4 (2) |
| Recent operation | 2 (1) | 1 (3) | – | 3 (1) |
| Malignancy | 44 (25) | 4 (13) | – | 48 (23) |
| Diabetes | 7 (4) | 12 (39) | – | 19 (9) |
| Heart failure | 5 (3) | 2 (7) | – | 7 (3) |
| Chronic lung disease | 4 (2) | 1 (3) | – | 5 (2) |
| Other causesa | 4 (2) | 1 (3) | – | 5 (2) |
| No cause established | 26 (13) | 0 (0) | 31 (100) | 57 (21) |
Percentage of underlying causes is calculated from the total number of causes established in each subgroup. aSuch as liver cirrhosis, haematoma, and alcohol abuse.