Risk factors and their interactive effects on severe acute pancreatitis complicated with acute gastrointestinal injury

BACKGROUND There are many risk factors for severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)complicated with acute gastrointestinal injury(AGI),but few reports on the interaction between these risk factors.AIM To analyze the risk factors for SAP complicated with AGI and their interactive effects.METHODS We selected 168 SAP patients admitted to our hospital between December 2019 and June 2022.They were divided into AGI group and non-AGI group according to whether AGI was present.Demographic data and laboratory test data were compared between the two groups.The risk factors for SAP with concomitant AGI were analyzed using multifactorial logistic regression,and an analysis of the interaction of the risk factors was performed.RESULTS The percentage of patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome,acute physiological and chronic health scoring system II(APACHE II)score,white blood cell count and creatinine(CRE)level was higher in the AGI group than in the non-AGI group.There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis indicated that an APACHE II score>15 and CRE>100μmol/L were risk factors for SAP complicating AGI.The interaction index of APACHE II score and CRE level was 3.123.CONCLUSION An APACHE II score>15 and CRE level>100μmol/L are independent risk factors for SAP complicated with AGI,and there is a positive interaction between them.

Predictors of the outcomes of acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure

AIM： To identify the risk factors in predicting the out- come of acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure pa- tients. METHODS： We retrospectively divided 113 patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure-hepatitis B virus （ACLF-HBV） and without concurrent hepatitis C or D virus infection and hepatocellular carcinoma into two groups according to their outcomes after anti-HBV therapy. Their demographic, clinical, and biochemical data on the day of diagnosis and after the first week of treatment were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher＇s exact test, and a multiple logistic regres- sion analysis. RESULTS： The study included 113 patients （87 men and 26 women） with a mean age of 49.84 years. Fifty- two patients survived, and 61 patients died. Liver failure （85.2%）, sepsis （34.4%）, and multiple organ failure （39.3%） were the main causes of death. Mul- tivariate analyses showed that Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation （APACHE） Ⅱ scores ≥ 12 [odds ratio （OR） = 7.160, 95% CI： 2.834-18.092, P 〈 0.001] and positive blood culture （OR = 13.520, 95% CI： 2.740-66.721, P = 0.001） on the day of diagnosis and model for end-stage liver disease （MELD） scores 28 （OR = 8.182, 95% CI： 1.884-35.527, P = 0.005） after the first week of treatment were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION： APACHE II scores on the day of diag- nosis and MELD scores after the first week of anti-HBV therapy are feasible predictors of outcome in ACLF- HBV patients.

Association between acute pancreatitis and peptic ulcer disease

AIM:To evaluate the relationship between peptic ulcer disease(PUD) and acute pancreatitis.METHODS:A cohort of 78 patients with acute pancreatitis were included in this study.The presence of PUD and the Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori) status were assessed by an endoscopic method.The severity of acute pancreatitis was assessed using Ranson's score,the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation(APACHE) □ score,computed tomography severity indexand the clinical data during hospitalization,all of which were compared between the patients with and without PUD.The risk factors for PUD were also evaluated.RESULTS:Among 78 patients,41 patients(52.6%) with acute pancreatitis suffered from PUD,but only 13(31.7%) patients with PUD were infected by H.pylori.On univariate analysis,male gender,an etiology of alcohol-induced pancreatitis,a history of smoking or alcohol consumption,elevated triglyceride and C-reactive protein levels,and high APACHE □ score were signif icantly associated with PUD.However,on multivariate logistic regressionanalysis,the APACHE □ score(odds ratio:7.69;95% conf idence interval:1.78-33.33;P < 0.01) was found to be the only independent risk factor for PUD.CONCLUSION:Patients with acute pancreatitis are liable to suffer from PUD.PUD is associated with severeacute pancreatitis according to the APACHE □ score,and treatment for PUD should be considered for patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

Prognostic value of red blood cell distribution width for severe acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND Severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)is a common condition in the intensive care unit(ICU)and has a high mortality.Early evaluation of the severity and prognosis is very important for SAP therapy.Recently,red blood cell distribution(RDW)was associated with mortality of sepsis patients and could be used as a predictor of prognosis.Similarly,RDW may be associated with the prognosis of SAP patients and be used as a prognostic indicator for SAP patients.AIM To investigate the prognostic value of RDW for SAP patients.METHODS We retrospectively enrolled SAP patients admitted to the ICU of the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University from June 2015 to June 2017.According to the prognosis at 90 d,SAP patients were divided into a survival group and a non-survival group.RDW was extracted from a routine blood test.Demographic parameters and RDW were recorded and compared between the two groups.The receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curve was constructed and Cox regression analysis was performed to investigate the prognostic value of RDW for SAP patients.RESULTS In this retrospective cohort study,42 SAP patients were enrolled,of whom 22 survived(survival group)and 20 died(non-survival group).The baseline parameters were comparable between the two groups.The coefficient of variation of RDW(RDW-CV),standard deviation of RDW(RDW-SD),Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II(APACHE II)score,and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(SOFA)score were significantly higher in the non-survival group than in the survival group(P<0.05).The RDW-CV and RDW-SD were significantly correlated with the APACHE II score and SOFA score,respectively.The areas under the ROC curves(AUCs)of RDW-CV and RDW-SD were all greater than those of the APACHE II score and SOFA score,among which,the AUC of RDW-SD was the greatest.The results demonstrated that RDW had better prognostic value for predicting the mortality of SAP patients.When the RDW-SD was greater than 45.5,the sensitivity for predicting prognosis was 77.8%and the specificity was 70.8%.Both RDW-CV and RDW-SD could be used as independent risk factors to predict the mortality of SAP patients in multivariate logistic regression analysis and univariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis,similar to the APACHE II and SOFA scores.CONCLUSION The RDW is greater in the non-surviving SAP patients than in the surviving patients.RDW is significantly correlated with the APACHE II and SOFA scores.RDW has better prognostic value for SAP patients than the APACHE II and SOFA scores and could easily be used by clinicians for the treatment of SAP patients.

Prediction of the severity of acute pancreatitis on admission by urinary trypsinogen activation peptide: A meta-analysis

AIM: To undertake a meta-analysis on the value of urinary trypsinogen activation peptide (uTAP) in predicting severity of acute pancreatitis on admission.METHODS: Major databases including Medline, Embase, Science Citation Index Expanded and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in the Cochrane Library were searched to identify all relevant studies from January 1990 to January 2013. Pooled sensitivity, specificity and the diagnostic odds ratios (DORs) with 95%CI were calculated for each study and were compared to other systems/biomarkers if mentioned within the same study. Summary receiver-operating curves were conducted and the area under the curve (AUC) was evaluated.RESULTS: In total, six studies of uTAP with a cut-off value of 35 nmol/L were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, the pooled sensitivity and specificity of uTAP for predicting severity of acute pancreatitis, at time of admission, was 71% and 75%, respectively (AUC = 0.83, DOR = 8.67, 95%CI: 3.70-20.33). When uTAP was compared with plasma C-reactive protein, the pooled sensitivity, specificity, AUC and DOR were 0.64 vs 0.67, 0.77 vs 0.75, 0.82 vs 0.79 and 6.27 vs 6.32, respectively. Similarly, the pooled sensitivity, specificity, AUC and DOR of uTAP vs Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II within the first 48 h of admission were found to be 0.64 vs 0.69, 0.77 vs 0.61, 0.82 vs 0.73 and 6.27 vs 4.61, respectively.CONCLUSION: uTAP has the potential to act as a stratification marker on admission for differentiating disease severity of acute pancreatitis.

Clinical significance of melatonin concentrations in predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis

AIM: To assess the value of plasma melatonin in predicting acute pancreatitis when combined with the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation?II?(APACHEII) and bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP) scoring systems.METHODS: APACHEII and BISAP scores were calculated for 55 patients with acute physiology (AP) in the first 24 h of admission to the hospital. Additionally, morning (6:00 AM) serum melatonin concentrations were measured on the first day after admission. According to the diagnosis and treatment guidelines for acute pancreatitis in China, 42 patients suffered mild AP (MAP). The other 13 patients developed severe AP (SAP). A total of 45 healthy volunteers were used in this study as controls. The ability of melatonin and the APACHEII and BISAP scoring systems to predict SAP was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The optimal melatonin cutoff concentration for SAP patients, based on the ROC curve, was used to classify the patients into either a high concentration group (34 cases) or a low concentration group (21 cases). Differences in the incidence of high scores, according to the APACHEII and BISAP scoring systems, were compared between the two groups.RESULTS: The MAP patients had increased melatonin levels compared to the SAP (38.34 ng/L vs 26.77 ng/L) (P = 0.021) and control patients (38.34 ng/L vs 30.73 ng/L) (P = 0.003). There was no significant difference inmelatoninconcentrations between the SAP group and the control group. The accuracy of determining SAP based on the melatonin level, the APACHEII score and the BISAP score was 0.758, 0.872, and 0.906, respectively, according to the ROC curve. A melatonin concentration ≤ 28.74 ng/L was associated with an increased risk of developing SAP. The incidence of high scores (≥ 3) using the BISAP system was significantly higher in patients with low melatonin concentration (≤ 28.74 ng/L) compared to patients with high melatonin concentration (> 28.74 ng/L) (42.9% vs 14.7%, P = 0.02). The incidence of high APACHEII scores (≥ 10) between the two groups was not significantly different.CONCLUSION: The melatonin concentration is closely related to the severity of AP and the BISAP score. Therefore, we can evaluate the severity of disease by measuring the levels of serum melatonin.

Predictors of irreversible intestinal resection in patients with acute mesenteric venous thrombosis

BACKGROUND Acute mesenteric venous thrombosis(AMVT)can cause a poor prognosis.Prompt transcatheter thrombolysis(TT)can achieve early mesenteric revascularization.However,irreversible intestinal ischemia still occurs and the mechanism is still unclear.AIM To evaluate the clinical outcomes of and to identify predictive factors for irreversible intestinal ischemia requiring surgical resection in AMVT patients treated by TT.METHODS The records of consecutive patients with AMVT treated by TT from January 2010 to October 2017 were retrospectively analyzed.We compared patients who required resection of irreversible intestinal ischemia to patients who did not require.RESULTS Among 58 patients,prompt TT was carried out 28.5 h after admission.A total of 42(72.4%)patients underwent arteriovenous combined thrombolysis,and 16(27.6%)underwent arterial thrombolysis alone.The overall 30-d mortality rate was 8.6%.Irreversible intestinal ischemia was indicated in 32(55.2%)patients,who had a higher 30-d mortality and a longer in-hospital stay than patients without resection.The significant independent predictors of irreversible intestinal ischemia were Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation(APACHE)II score(odds ratio=2.368,95% confidence interval:1.047-5.357,P=0.038)and leukocytosis(odds ratio=2.058,95% confidence interval:1.085-3.903,P=0.027).Using the receiver operating characteristic curve,the cutoff values of the APACHE II score and leukocytosis for predicting the onset of irreversible intestinal ischemia were calculated to be 8.5 and 12×10^9/L,respectively.CONCLUSION Prompt TT could achieve a favorable outcome in AMVT patients.High APACHE II score and leukocytosis can significantly predict the occurrence of irreversible intestinal ischemia.Therefore,close monitoring of these factors may help with the early identification of patients with irreversible intestinal ischemia,in whom ultimately surgical resection is required,before the initiation of TT.

Different phenotypes of monocytes in patients with newonset mild acute pancreatitis

AIM To evaluate the numbers of different subsets of monocytes and their associations with the values of clinical measures in mild acute pancreatitis(MAP) patients.METHODS The study included one group of 13 healthy controls and another group of 24 patients with new-onset MAP. The numbers of different subsets of monocytes were examined in these two groups of subjects by flow cytometry. The concentrations of plasma interleukin(IL)-10 and IL-12 were determined by cytometric bead array. The acute physiology and chronic health evaluation(APACHE) II scores of individual patients were evaluated, and the levels of plasma C-reactive protein(CRP) as well as the activities of amylase and lipase were measured. RESULTS In comparison with that in the controls, significantly increased numbers of CD14+CD163-, CD14+CD163-MAC387+ M1 monocytes, but significantly reduced numbers of CD14+CD163+IL-10+ M2 monocytes were detected in the MAP patients(P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Furthermore, significantly higher levels of plasma IL-10 and IL-12 were observed in the MAP patients(P < 0.01 for all). More importantly, the levels of plasma CRP were positively correlated with the numbers of CD14+CD163-(R = 0.5009, P = 0.0127) and CD14+CD163-MAC387+(R = 0.5079, P = 0.0113) M1 monocytes and CD14+CD163+CD115+ M2 monocytes(R = 0.4565, P = 0.0249) in the patients. The APACHE II scores correlated with the numbers of CD14+CD163+CD115+(R = 0.4581, P = 0.0244) monocytes and the levels of plasma IL-10(R = 0.4178, P = 0.0422) in the MAP patients. However, there was no significant association among other measures tested in this population. CONCLUSION Increased numbers of CD14+CD163- and CD14+ CD163-MAC387+ monocytes may contribute to the pathogenesis of MAP, and increased numbers of CD14+CD163+CD115+ monocytes may be a biomarker for evaluating the severity of MAP.

Comparative analysis of APACHE-Ⅱ and P-POSSUM scoring systems in predicting postoperative mortality in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy

BACKGROUND Laparotomy remains one of the commonest emergency surgical procedures.Early prognostic evaluation would aid in selecting the high-risk patients for an aggressive treatment. Awareness about risks could potentially contribute to the quality of perioperative care and optimum utilization of resources. Portsmouth modification of Physiological and operative severity for the enumeration of mortality and morbidity(P-POSSUM) and the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE-Ⅱ) have been the most widely used scoring systems for emergency laparotomies. It is always better to have a single scoring system to predict outcomes and audit healthcare organizations.AIM To compare the ability of APACHE-Ⅱ and P-POSSUM to predict postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy.METHODS All patients undergoing emergency laparotomy at the Tata Main Hospital,Jamshedpur between December 2013 and November 2014 were included in the study. In this observational study, P-POSSUM and APACHE-Ⅱ scoring were done, and the outcome analysis evaluated with mortality being the primary outcome.RESULTS For P-POSSUM, at a cut off value of 63 to predict mortality using receiver operating characteristics curve analysis, the area under the curve was 0.989; and for APACHE-Ⅱ, at the cut off value of 24, the area under the curve was 0.965.CONCLUSION Because the ability of APACHE-Ⅱ to predict mortality was similar to P-POSSUM and APACHE-Ⅱ does not need scoring for intra-operative findings and histopathology reports, APACHE-Ⅱ can be used pre-operatively to assess the risk in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy. However, for audit purposes,either of the two scoring systems can be used.

Multicentered prospective investigator initiated study to evaluate the clinical outcomes with extracorporeal cytokine adsorption device (CytoSorb®) in patients with sepsis and septic shock

BACKGROUND Sepsis is a severe clinical syndrome related to the host response to infection.The severity of infections is due to an activation cascade that will lead to an auto amplifying cytokine production:The cytokine storm.Hemoadsorption by CytoSorb®therapy is a new technology that helps to address the cytokine storm and to regain control over various inflammatory conditions.AIM To evaluate prospectively CytoSorb®therapy used as an adjunctive therapy along with standard of care in septic patients admitted to intensive care unit(ICU).METHODS This was a prospective,real time,investigator initiated,observational multicenter study conducted in patients admitted to the ICU with sepsis and septic shock.The improvement of mean arterial pressure and reduction of vasopressor needs were evaluated as primary outcome.The change in laboratory parameters,sepsis scores[acute physiology and chronic health evaluation(APACHE II)and sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA)]and vital parameters were considered as secondary outcome.The outcomes were also evaluated in the survivor and nonsurvivor group.Descriptive statistics were used;a P value<0.05 was considered RESULTS Overall,45 patients aged≥18 and≤80 years were included;the majority were men(n=31;69.0%),with mean age 47.16±14.11 years.Post CytoSorb®therapy,26 patients survived and 3 patients were lost to follow-up.In the survivor group,the percentage dose reduction in vasopressor was norepinephrine(51.4%),epinephrine(69.4%)and vasopressin(13.9%).A reduction in interleukin-6 levels(52.3%)was observed in the survivor group.Platelet count improved to 30.1%(P=0.2938),and total lung capacity count significantly reduced by 33%(P<0.0001).Serum creatinine and serum lactate were reduced by 33.3%(P=0.0190)and 39.4%(P=0.0120),respectively.The mean APACHE II score was 25.46±2.91 and SOFA scores was 12.90±4.02 before initiation of CytoSorb®therapy,and they were reduced significantly post therapy(APACHE II 20.1±2.47;P<0.0001 and SOFA 9.04±3.00;P=0.0003)in the survivor group.The predicted mortality in our patient population before CytoSorb®therapy was 56.5%,and it was reduced to 48.8%(actual mortality)after CytoSorb®therapy.We reported 75%survival rate in patients given treatment in<24 h of ICU admission and 68%survival rates in patients given treatment within 24-48 h of ICU admission.In the survivor group,the average number of days spent in the ICU was 4.44±1.66 d;while in the nonsurvivor group,the average number of days spent in ICU was 8.5±15.9 d.CytoSorb®therapy was safe and well tolerated with no adverse events reported.CONCLUSION CytoSorb®might be an effective adjuvant therapy in stabilizing sepsis and septic shock patients.However,it is advisable to start the therapy at an early stage(preferably within 24 h after onset of septic shock).

A comparison of APACHE II,BISAP,Ranson’s score and modified CTSI in predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis based on the 2012 revised Atlanta Classification

Objective:Our aim was to prospectively compare the Accuracy of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation(APACHE)II,Bedside Index of Severity in Acute Pancreatitis(BISAP),Ranson’s score and modified Computed Tomography Severity Index(CTSI)in predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis based on Atlanta 2012 definitions in a tertiary care hospital in northern India.Methods:Fifty patients with acute pancreatitis admitted to our hospital during the period of March 2015 to September 2016 were included in the study.APACHE II,BISAP and Ranson’s score were calculated for all the cases.Modified CTSI was also determined based on a pancreatic protocol contrast enhanced computerized tomography(CT).Optimal cut-offs for these scoring systems and the area under the curve(AUC)were evaluated based on the receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curve and these scoring systems were compared prospectively.Results:Of the 50 cases,14 were graded as severe acute pancreatitis.Pancreatic necrosis was present in 15 patients,while 14 developed persistent organ failure and 14 needed intensive care unit(ICU)admission.The AUC for modified CTSI was consistently the highest for predicting severe acute pancreatitis(0.919),pancreatic necrosis(0.993),organ failure(0.893)and ICU admission(0.993).APACHE II was the second most accurate in predicting severe acute pancreatitis(AUC 0.834)and organ failure(0.831).APACHE II had a high sensitivity for predicting pancreatic necrosis(93.33%),organ failure(92.86%)and ICU admission(92.31%),and also had a high negative predictive value for predicting pancreatic necrosis(96.15%),organ failure(96.15%)and ICU admission(95.83%).Conclusion:APACHE II is a useful prognostic scoring system for predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis and can be a crucial aid in determining the group of patients that have a high chance of need for tertiary care during the course of their illness and therefore need early resuscitation and prompt referral,especially in resource-limited developing countries.

Diagnostic role of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell-1 in patients with sepsis

BACKGROUND：Biomarkers may be helpful in risk stratification and prediction of mortality in septic patients. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic role of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid celI-I（sTREM-1）, procalcitonin （PCT）, C-reactive protein （CRP） and other inflammatory markers in patients with sepsis. METHODS：A total of 56 patients with systemic inflammation response syndrome （SIRS） who had been admitted to the ICU department of the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University between May 2009 and July 2010 were enrolled. They were divided into a sepsis group （n=32） and a SIRS group （n=24）. Twenty-five non-SIRS patients served as controls. The sepsis group was sub-divided into a survival group and a death group according to 28-day prognosis. The values of sTREM-1, PCT, CRP, white blood cell （WBC）, and neutrophil count percentage （N） were measured. Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II （APACHE II） score were determined within 24 hours. The correlation between sTREM-1 and APACHE II score was analyzed. Quantitative data were analyzed by the F test or the KruskaI-Wallis test. RESULTS： The plasma level of sTREM-1 in the sepsis group was significantly higher than that in the SIRS group and control group. The plasma level of sTREM-1 in the non-survival group was significantly higher than that in the survival group. In the sepsis group, the plasma sTREM-1 level was positively correlated with APACHE II score （rs=0.426, P= 0.032）. The area under the ROC curve of sTREM-1 was 0.935, larger than that of PCT and CRP. CONCLUSION：Plasma sTREM-1 is useful in the diagnosis of sepsis at early stage. The increased level of sTREM-1 during the first 24 hours may be correlated with poor outcome of patients with sepsis.

Comparison of Charlson＇s weighted index of comorbidities with the chronic health score for the prediction of mortality in septic patients

Background Comorbidity is one of the most important determinants ot short-term and long-term outcomes in septic patients. Charlson＇s weighted index of comorbidities （WIC） and the chronic health score （CHS）, which is a component of the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation （APACHE） II, are two frequently-used measures of comorbidity. In this study, we assess the performance of WIC and CHS in predicting the hospital mortality of intensive care unit （ICU） patients with sepsis. Methods A total of 338 adult patients with sepsis were admitted to a multisystem ICU between October 2010 and August 2012. Clinical data were collected, including age, gender, underlying diseases, key predisposing causes, severity-of- sepsis, and hospital mortality. The APACHE II, CHS, acute physiology score （APS）, sequential organ failure assessment （SOFA） and WIC scores were assessed within the first 24 hours of admission. Univariate and multiple Logistic regression analyses were used to compare the performance of WlC and CHS. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve （AUC） was used to predict hospital mortality over classes of risk. Results Of all the enrolled patients, 224 patients survived and 114 patients died. The surviving patients had significantly lower WlC, CHS, APACHE II, and SOFA scores than the non-surviving patients （P 〈0.05）. Combining WIC or CHS with other administrative data showed that the hospital mortality was significantly associated with age, severe sepsis, key predisposing causes such as pneumonia, a history of underlying diseases such as hypertension and congestive cardiac failure, and WlC, CHS and APS scores （P 〈0.05）. The AUC for the hospital mortality were 0.564 （95% confidence interval （CO 0.496-0.631） of CHS, 0.663 （95% CI 0.599-0.727） of WIC, 0.770 （95% CI 0.718-0.822） of APACHE II, 0.856 （95% Cl 0.815-0.897） of the CHS combined with other administrative data, and 0.857 （95% CI 0.817-0.897） of the WlC combined with other administrative data. The diagnostic value of WIC was better than that of CHS （P=0.0015）. Conclusions The WlC and CHS scores might be independent determinants for hospital mortality among ICU patients with sepsis. WlC might be an even better predictor of the mortality of septic patients with comorbidities than CHS. Chin Med J 2014;127 （14）： 2623-2627

Visfatin levels in patients with severe pneumonia

BACKGROUND： As a cytokine highly expressed in internal organs, visfatin could be used as a biomarker of systemic inflammation response for chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, but few studies have reported the use of visfatin in severe pneumonia. The present study was undertaken to determine the plasma levels of visfatin in patients with severe pneumonia. METHODS：A total of 70 patients, including 40 patients with severe pneumonia （group A） and 30 patients with non severe pneumonia （group B） who had been admitted to the ICU from June 2009 to June 2010, were enrolled in this prospective study. And another 30 healthy physical examinees served as healthy controls （group C）. Patients were excluded if they suffered from severe diseases of the heart, brain and kidney, cancers, autoimmune diseases, or received special treatment in the latest month. The plasma levels of visfatin, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α were measured by ELISA, while the level of CRP was determined by immuneturbidimetry, and the routine blood test was performed. Blood gas analysis and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II （APACHE II） were performed in patients with pneumonia. Comparisons between the groups were conducted by Student＇s t test, ANOVA or nonparametric test. Correlation analysis was carried out by Pearson＇s correlation test or Spearman＇s rank-order correlation test. RESULTS：The plasma level of visfatin in group A was significantly higher than that in groups B and C （P〈0.001）, and the level of visfatin in group B was significantly higher than that in group C （P〈0.001）. The plasma level of visfatin was positively correlated with CRP, TNF-α, APACHE II and PMN% in patients with severe pneumonia （rho=0.653, r=0.554, r=0.558, r=0.484, respectively, P〈0.05 for all）, while it was negatively correlated with PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 （rho=-0.422, r=-0.543, respectively, P〈0.05 for all）. CONCLUSION：Visfatin may be involved in the systematic inflammation response in patients with severe pneumonia as a pro-inflammatory cytokine, and it is valuable in assessing the severity of pneumonia..

Performance and comparison of assessment models to predict 30-day mortality in patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia

Background:Hospital-acquired pneumonia(HAP)is the most common hospital-acquired infection in China with substantial morbidity and mortality.But no specific risk assessment model has been well validated in patients with HAP.The aim of this study was to investigate the published risk assessment models that could potentially be used to predict 30-day mortality in HAP patients in non-surgical departments.Methods:This study was a single-center,retrospective study.In total,223 patients diagnosed with HAP from 2012 to 2017 were included in this study.Clinical and laboratory data during the initial 24 hours after HAP diagnosis were collected to calculate the pneumonia severity index(PSI);consciousness,urea nitrogen,respiratory rate,blood pressure,and age≥65 years(CURB-65);Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II(APACHE II);Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(SOFA);and Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(qSOFA)scores.The discriminatory power was tested by constructing receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves,and the areas under the curve(AUCs)were calculated.Results:The all-cause 30-day mortality rate was 18.4%(41/223).The PSI,CURB-65,SOFA,APACHE II,and qSOFA scores were significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors(all P<0.001).The discriminatory abilities of the APACHE II and SOFA scores were better than those of the CURB-65 and qSOFA scores(ROC AUC:APACHE II vs.CURB-65,0.863 vs.0.744,Z=3.055,P=0.002;APACHE II vs.qSOFA,0.863 vs.0.767,Z=3.017,P=0.003;SOFA vs.CURB-65,0.856 vs.0.744,Z=2.589,P=0.010;SOFA vs.qSOFA,0.856 vs.0.767,Z=2.170,P=0.030).The cut-off values we defined for the SOFA,APACHE II,and qSOFA scores were 4,14,and 1.Conclusions:These results suggest that the APACHE II and SOFA scores determined during the initial 24 h after HAP diagnosis may be useful for the prediction of 30-day mortality in HAP patients in non-surgical departments.The qSOFA score may be a simple tool that can be used to quickly identify severe infections.

Prediction of median survival time in sepsis patients by the SOFA score combined with different predictors

Background:Sepsis is the leading cause of intensive care unit(ICU)admission.The purpose of this study was to explore the prognostic value of the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(SOFA)score,the Acute Physiological and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)score,and procalcitonin(PCT),albumin(ALB),and lactate(LAC)levels in patients with sepsis.Methods:Consecutive adult patients with suspected or documented sepsis at ICU admission were recruited.Their basic vital signs and related auxiliary examinations to determine their PCT and ALB levels and APACHE Ⅱ score were recorded at ICU admission,and their LAC levels and SOFA scores were recorded for one week after admission.The influence of these variables on hospital mortality was evaluated.Logistic regression was used to derive the Sepsis Hospital Mortality Score(SHMS),a prediction equation describing the relationship between predictors and hospital mortality.The median survival time was calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method.In the validation group,the kappa value was calculated to evaluate the stability of the derived formula.Results:This study included 894 sepsis patients admitted to 18 ICUs in 16 tertiary hospitals.Patients were randomly assigned to an experimental group(626 cases)and validation group(258 cases).In addition,a nonsurvival group(248 patients)of the experimental group was established according to the outcome at the time of discharge.The hospital mortality rate in the experimental group was 39.6%(248/626).Univariate and multivariate regression analyses revealed that the APACHE Ⅱ score(odds ratio[OR]=1.178),△SOFA(OR=1.186),△LAC(OR=1.157),and SOFA mean score(OR=1.086)were independently associated with hospital mortality.The SHMS was calculated as logit(p)=4.715–(0.164×APACHE Ⅱ)–(0.171×△SOFA)–(0.145×△LAC)–(0.082×SOFA mean).A receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed to further investigate the accuracy of the SHMS,with an area under the curve of 0.851(95%confidence interval[CI]0.821–0.882;p<0.001)for hospital mortality.In the low-risk group and high-risk groups,the corresponding median survival times were 15 days and 11 days,respectively.Conclusion:The APACHE Ⅱ score,△SOFA,△LAC and SOFA mean score were independently associated with hospital mortality in sepsis patients and accurately predicted the hospital mortality rate and median survival time.Data on the median survival time in sepsis patients could be provided to clinicians to assist in the rational use of limited medical resources by facilitating prudent resource allocation.Trial registration:ChiCTR-ECH-13003934,retrospectively registered on August 03,2013.