Correlation analysis of serum FGF9, Sestrin2 and HBDH with the severity of sepsis

To explore the correlation between serum fibroblast growth factor 9(FGF9), Sestrin2 and hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH) and the severity of sepsis, and to analyse the predictive value of FGF9, Sestrin2 and HBDH for clinical outcome.

A retrospective analysis of 125 patients with sepsis admitted to Taikang Xianlin Drum Tower Hospital and Chongqing University Central Hospital between May 2022 and May 2025 was conducted. According to disease severity, there were 50 cases in the septic shock group and 75 in the sepsis group. Based on clinical outcomes, patients were divided into a death group (103 cases) and a survival group (22 cases). Observe the levels of serum FGF9, Sestrin2 and HBDH in each group. Analysis of the relationships among FGF9, Sestrin2, HBDH, and sepsis severity was performed using the Spearman correlation coefficient. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, the factors influencing the prognosis of patients with sepsis were investigated. FGF9, Sestrin2, and HBDH were evaluated for their prognostic utility in sepsis patients using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

Compared with the sepsis group, the level of FGF9 in the septic shock group was lower [(122.41± 21.45) pg/mL vs (145.36± 23.68) pg/mL], while the levels of Sestrin2 and HBDH were both higher [(15.75± 2.34) ng/mL] vs (8.36± 0.93) ng/mL, (232.14± 34.77) U/L vs (166.25± 24.85) U/L]; the differences were statistically significant (P< 0.05). Compared with the survival group, the level of FGF9 in the death group was lower [(112.05± 20.61) pg/mL vs (133.25± 22.14) pg/mL], while the levels of Sestrin2 and HBDH were both higher [(19.25± 2.85) ng/mL] vs (12.42± 2.33) ng/mL, (261.25± 37.25) U/L vs (204.25± 32.18) U/L]. Spearman correlation coefficient analysis showed that FGF9 was negatively correlated with the severity of sepsis (P< 0.05), whereas the degree of sepsis was positively correlated with both Sestrin2 and HBDH (P< 0.05). Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), procalcitonin, FGF9, Sestrin2, and HBDH are risk factors for sepsis prognosis, according to multivariate logistic regression analysis (P< 0.05). The results of ROC curve analysis showed that the combined detection of FGF9, Sestrin2 and HBDH had a better predictive effect on the prognosis of patients with sepsis (P< 0.05).

The amount of FGF9 in septic shock patients is comparatively low, while the levels of Sestrin2 and HBDH are relatively high. As the severity of the disease increases, the level of FGF9 gradually decreases, while the levels of Sestrin2 and HBDH gradually increase, with a certain correlation with disease severity. The prognosis of sepsis patients can be assessed by measuring FGF9, Sestrin2, and HBDH levels.