Biomarkers for Predicting Mortality in Patients With Suspected Sepsis

This study aimes to investigate the association of a number of biomarkers with 28-day mortality of patients admitted to the ICU with suspected sepsis, which included C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), WBC count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, albumin and lactate.

Data will obtained from hospital electronic medical records. Data includes age, sex, duration of ICU stay, origin of infection (urinary, abdominal, pulmonary, soft tissue, central nervous system, catheter-related, mixed, others) and comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic renal failure, heart failure, coronary artery disease, malignancies, others). Whether patients were admitted to the ICU following a scheduled surgery or emergency surgery will also recorded.

At admission, baseline levels of PCT, CRP, albumin and lactate as well as WBC, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts will recorded.

The primary outcome is 28-day mortality. For patients with multiple episodes requiring ICU admission, only the most recent episode will taken into consideration.

Inclusion criteria

• >18 years of age
• admission to the ICU with suspected sepsis

Exclusion criteria

• ICU admission following cardiopulmonary resuscitation or cardiac surgery
• Having a positive test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection
• Interruption of the treatment process because of transfer to another healthcare facility