Markers of inflammation as determinants of mortality in intensive care unit patients

In this study, the investigators explored the relationship between mortality rate and serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation ratio (ESR), albumin, and hemoglobin, leukocyte, and platelet counts of patients at the time of first admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). A total of 123 patients were admitted to 2 different ICUs. In the emergency departments, serum levels of CRP, ESR, and albumin and hematologic parameters of 81 patients who died and 42 patients who survived were compared. A Student t test and the chi2 test were used for statistical analyses. Mean CRP and ESR levels and leukocyte counts were higher in nonsurvivor than in survivor groups (P<.001 for all). Additionally, serum CRP and ESR elevations and leukocyte counts were determined to be individually related to mortality (P<.001, P<.05, and P<.05, respectively). The investigators concluded that initial serum levels of CRP and ESR and leukocyte counts can be used as determinants of mortality in ICU patients.