Background: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a common serious condition. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of intensive care unit (ICU) and surgical ward patients fulfilling the criteria for SIRS in Taif, Saudi Arabia.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the period between 1 June and December 2019. The data were obtained from the medical records of admitted patients in Alhada Armed Forces Hospital at the surgical ward and surgical ICU. SIRS diagnostic criteria were applied.

 Results: A number of patients fulfilling the criteria of SIRS were 36 out of 269 (13.38%). Of those, 75% were in the surgical ward, and 25% were in the ICU. On the analysis of patients’ vital signs and laboratory findings, 47.58% met zero criteria, 39.03% met only one criterion, and 13.38% met two or more criteria and were diagnosed with SIRS, with a predominance of males with 63% over females and gastrointestinal system 38.9% over other systems.

Conclusion: The prevalence of SIRS of surgical ward admissions was higher as compared to ICU, and the majority of cases were males. Acute appendicitis was the most common diagnosis that leads to SIRS.

Keywords: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome, Inflammation