Key result
Low serum cholesterol levels (≤50 mg/dL) at ICU admission were associated with higher in-house mortality compared to levels ≥100 mg/dL (82% vs 21%) in critically ill patients with infection.
Why the study?
Do serum cholesterol, PCT, or CRP levels at admission predict in-house mortality in critically ill patients with infection?
Cohort (n=76)
Do serum cholesterol, PCT, or CRP levels at admission predict in-house mortality in critically ill patients with infection?
Low serum cholesterol levels at ICU admission predict higher in-house mortality in critically ill patients with infection, outperforming PCT and CRP.
Low cholesterol at ICU admission was associated with higher mortality in infected critically ill patients; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.
Serum cholesterol procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured consecutively in 76 critically ill patients at admission to the intensive care unit. The presence of infection was defined according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) criteria; in-house mortality, underlying diseases, and severity of sepsis were monitored. Nonsurvivors had significantly lower cholesterol levels compared with survivors (69 mg/dL [range, 37-88 mg/dL] vs. 96 mg/dL [range, 71-132 mg/dL], P = 0.006) whereas no significant differences were noted for serum PCT and CRP levels. In a cohort of patients with cholesterol levels of 50 mg/dL or less, 82% did not survive as compared with patients with cholesterol levels of 100 mg/dL or greater (mortality, 21%). In a control group without infection, no difference of cholesterol, PCT, or CRP was found between survivors and nonsurvivors. Our data show that low cholesterol levels in patients with infectious disease have a prognostic value and may be useful markers to identify high-risk patients already at admission.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Biller et al. (2014) conducted a cohort in Infection in critically ill patients (n=76). Low serum cholesterol levels (≤50 mg/dL) vs. High serum cholesterol levels (≥100 mg/dL) was evaluated on In-house mortality (p=0.006). Low serum cholesterol levels (≤50 mg/dL) at ICU admission were associated with higher in-house mortality compared to levels ≥100 mg/dL (82% vs 21%) in critically ill patients with infection.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: