Evaluation of Cholesterol and c-Reactive Protein as Prognostic Factors for Survival in Critically Ill Patients

Abstract

The aims of the study were to evaluate serum total cholesterol and serum C-reactive protein as a prognostic factor for survival in critical ill patients . The study population consisted of 50 patients (age range, 18-90 years; median, 55 years; men/women ratio, 2:3) in critical ill patients . Patients' serum levels of total cholesterol and Creactive protein were measured upon admission to citical care unit, three days later, and on the day discharge from ICU. Total cholesterol levels were significantly lower among the non-surviving patients (day 0,1 1 5 . 4 ± 29.66 mg/dL; day 3,113.2 ± 37.19 mg/dL; day of discharge,104.0 ±42.96 mg/dL) than surviving patients (day 0,142.5 ± 23.93 mg/dL [P = 0.001]; day 3 ,145.5 ± 28.17 mg/dL [P = 0.001]; day of discharge 147.5 ± 35.97 mg/dL [P = 0.001]). C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher among the non-survivors (day 0,136.8 18.77 mg/dL; day 3,155.1 ± 18.94 mg/dL; day of discharge178.5 ± 22.30 mg/dL) than survivors (day 0,68.85 ±19.73 mg/dL[P = 0.001]; day 3,63.08 ± 18.05 mg/dL[P = 0.001]; day of discharge,52.98 ± 14.25 mg/dL;[P = 0.001]). Serum cholesterol and C-reactive protein can be used as markers for predicting survival in critical ill patients . Low cholesterol and high C-reactive protein levels appear as a valuable tool for individual risk assessment in critical ill patient.

Assessment of Plasma N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide and CRP in Patients with Severe Sepsis, Septic Shock and Acute Heart Failure

“…The relatively short half-life of approximately 19 hours makes it a useful monitor for follow-up of inflammatory response, infection and antibiotic treatment. In addition, laboratory tests for CRP are easily available and less costly than cytokine tests (7).…”