Severity and 28-day in-hospital mortality of interleukin-6, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, and APACHE II score in patients with sepsis

Objective This paper investigated the predictive value of interleukin-6 (IL-6), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and APACHE II score for 28-day in-hospital mortality in septic patients. Methods A total of 153 septic patients were retrospectively included, and their general clinical data and laboratory indices were collected, followed by counting 28-day in-hospital survival. Patients were allocated into sepsis and septic shock groups following the disease severity and death group and survival group according to their 28-day in-hospital survival. The predictive value of IL-6, NLR, and APACHE II scores for septic shock and 28-day in-hospital mortality and risk factors impacting 28-day in-hospital survival in septic patients were examined. Results Serum IL-6, NLR values, and APACHE II scores were significantly higher in patients with septic shock and in those with 28-day in-hospital mortality ( P < 0.05). The combined detection of IL-6, NLR, and APACHE II score had higher predictive value for septic shock and 28-day in-hospital mortality compared to any single indicator (combined AUC: 0.873/0.938; individual AUCs: 0.731/0.764, 0.783/0.820, 0.776/0.812), and their combination demonstrated increased sensitivity and specificity (all above 75%). IL-6, NLR, and APACHE II score were independent risk factors for septic shock and 28-day in-hospital mortality ( P < 0.05). Elevated IL-6, NLR, and APACHE II scores contributed to increased risk of 28-day in-hospital mortality in septic patients ( P < 0.05). Conclusion IL-6, NLR, and APACHE II score have predictive value and are independent risk factors for septic shock and 28-day in-hospital mortality.