Elevated Omentin Serum Levels Predict Long-Term Survival in Critically Ill Patients

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Critical Care Medicine
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Omentin, an adipokine, plays a role in inflammatory and infectious diseases.
• The role of omentin in critical illness and sepsis remains largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of omentin serum concentrations in critically ill patients.
• To determine if omentin levels correlate with sepsis, inflammatory markers, or patient survival.

Main Methods:

• Serum omentin concentrations were measured in 117 ICU patients (septic and non-septic) and 50 healthy controls.
• Omentin levels were compared between groups and correlated with inflammatory cytokines and sepsis markers.
• The predictive value of omentin for short-term and overall survival was assessed.

Main Results:

• Omentin serum levels were similar in critically ill patients and healthy controls, irrespective of sepsis or disease etiology.
• Omentin levels did not correlate with inflammatory cytokines or standard sepsis markers.
• While not predictive of short-term survival, low omentin predicted better overall survival, and elevated levels predicted impaired long-term survival.

Conclusions:

• Circulating omentin levels do not distinguish critically ill patients from controls.
• Elevated omentin levels are associated with impaired long-term survival in ICU patients.
• Omentin may serve as a prognostic marker in critical illness, correlating with other adipokines.