Role of Inflammatory Markers in Predicting Severity of Sepsis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62497/irjm.153Keywords:
Sepsis, Biomarkers, C-Reactive Protein, CRP, Procalcitonin, Interleukin-6, IL-6, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, TNF-α, Organ Dysfunction Scores, SOFA score, PrognosisAbstract
Introduction: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, often resulting in organ dysfunction and high mortality. Early identification of patients at risk of severe sepsis is crucial for timely intervention. Inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) may help predict disease severity and guide management.
Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of inflammatory markers in determining sepsis severity in hospitalized patients.
Methodology: A prospective observational study was conducted at Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, from July 2022 to June 2023. A total of 380 adult sepsis patients were enrolled. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were recorded at admission. Serum levels of CRP, PCT, IL-6, and TNF-α were measured, and severity was assessed using the SOFA score. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-square tests, and Spearman’s correlation.
Results: The mean age was 52.3 ± 15.7 years, with 57.4% males. Severe sepsis was observed in 28.9% of patients. Median levels of CRP, PCT, IL-6, and TNF-α increased with disease severity (p<0.001) and correlated strongly with SOFA scores (ρ = 0.68–0.75, p<0.001). Greater severity was associated with longer ICU stays, higher mortality, and increased need for mechanical ventilation. Multi-marker assessment showed superior predictive accuracy compared to individual markers.
Conclusion: CRP, PCT, IL-6, and TNF-α effectively predict sepsis severity and correlate with organ dysfunction and outcomes. Early measurement of these markers can improve risk assessment, guide prompt treatment, and enhance patient care.
Keywords: Sepsis, Inflammatory markers, CRP, Procalcitonin, IL-6, TNF-α, SOFA score, Severity prediction
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