[The Glasgow inflammatory score and lung cancer: A predictor of admissions to emergency units]

In a first study, we found predictive factors for hospital admission in lung cancer patients consulting at the emergency department. Knowing that systemic inflammation is a prognostic factor in cancer patients, the goal of our study was to determine whether systemic inflammation measured using the modified Glasgow prognostic score can improve the predictive value of our previous model.

We conducted a retrospective study including all patients with lung cancer consulting at the emergency department of an oncology hospital between January 1st 2008 and December 31st 2010.

Of the 548 emergency department visits, C-reactive protein and albumin needed for calculating the Glasgow score, were available for 291 visits. Multivariate analysis identified three predictors of hospitalization subsequent to a visit at the emergency ward: the Modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) (OR=2.72; P<0.0001), arrival by ambulance (odds ratio [OR]=21.38; P<0.0001) and the presence of physical signs associated with the complaint (OR=2.72; P<0.05).

The mGPS is an independent predictor for hospitalization in patients with lung cancer consulting at the emergency department.