Investigation of the Possible Causes of NRBC in ICU Patients and the Dynamic Trend of NRBC Count in Survival and Death Patients or with Different Underlying Diseases: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background. The mortality of intensive care unit (ICU) patients ranges from 5% to 30%, and nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) were revealed to be related to mortality. However, few studies have discussed the causes of NRBC or compared the dynamic count among patients with underlying diseases. Aim. To explore the possible causes of NRBC in ICU patients and the dynamic trends between survival and death groups and underlying disease subgroups. Methods. A total of 177 ICU patients were retrospectively included. The possible causes of NRBC in ICU patients were discussed. The relationship between NRBC and in-hospital mortality and the dynamic trend of NRBC during hospitalization between the survival and death groups and underlying disease subgroups were compared. Results. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score in the NRBC-positive group were higher (23.52 ± 9.39 vs. 19.62 ± 7.59; 13.50 (9.00–17.50) vs. 8.00 (6.00–12.00)). Red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb) level, oxygen saturation (SO2), oxygenation index (OI), and serum protein level were lower in the NRBC-positive group. However, D-dimer (D-D), liver and kidney function indices, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT) were higher than those in the NRBC-negative group. Correlation analysis showed that NRBC count was positively correlated with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and negatively correlated with SO2 (r = 0.431, P < 0.05 ; r = 0.363, P < 0.05 ; r = −0.335, P < 0.05 ). The mortality rate in the NRBC-positive group was higher, and the median survival time was shorter than that in the NRBC-negative group (77.9% vs. 95.7%, P < 0.001 ; 15 days vs. 8.5 days, P < 0.01 ). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that NRBC was an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality (HR: 1.12 (1.03–1.22), P < 0.01 ). The NRBC count had different hazard ratios (HRs) for in-hospital mortality in the subgroups. Locally weighted scatterplot smoothing (LOWESS) analysis revealed that the NRBC count in the death group was higher and had a sharp upward trend before death, whereas that in the survival group was negative or stayed at a low level. The changing trend of the NRBC count was different in patients with different underlying diseases. Conclusion. The possible cause of NRBC in ICU patients was related to inflammation and hypoxia. The persistently high level and rapid upward trend of NRBC counts are risk factors for in-hospital mortality in ICU patients. The changing trend of the NRBC count varied in patients with different underlying diseases.

Comparison Evaluation of Automated Nucleated Red Blood Cell Enumeration by Sysmex XN 1000 in Comparison With Microscopic Reference in Children Under 1 Year

“…In accordance with previous studies, we found a negative correlation between age and NRBC counts within the entire study cohort. Interestingly, our data yielded no interrelation between NRBC and inflammation markers, which is in contrast to former findings, reporting on a correlation of NRBC counts with CRP concentrations in adults with primary and/or secondary immundeficiency [ 26 , 27 ] and IL‐6 concentrations in adult and neonatal patients, requiring intensive care [ 28 , 29 , 30 ]. A possible explanation for these conflicting results might be the fact, that studies used different inclusion criteria with respect to age and health status: in the present investigation on children under 1 year of age, also preterm newborns were included, in whom CRP production is still not adequately accomplished by the immature liver.…”

Nucleated red blood cells as a novel biomarker in the diagnosis and prediction of sepsis severity in children

“…hypoxia caused by hypoperfusion. In our study, patients had higher serum lactic acid levels, supporting the role of hypoxia in the production and release of NRBCs (Wang et al, 2023). Also, non-statistically significant WBC differences and lower platelet counts mean patients with elevated NRBC are immunosuppressed.…”

Nucleated red blood cells are a late biomarker in predicting intensive care unit mortality in patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome: an observational cohort study

“…Furthermore, while nRBC measurements are widely available today and predictivity in distinct critically ill patient populations is well-known, no clinical recommendation exists for nRBC measurement in critically ill or ICU patients. While the distinct mechanisms leading to nRBC release remain unknown, it is negatively correlated with arterial oxygen saturation and, consequently, with hypoxemia, higher levels of erythropoietin and proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-3 and IL-6 ( 16 , 29 , 32 ). Our study confirms these observations, showing lower P a O 2 /F i O 2 and higher PCT values in patients with an nRBC count >105 µl -1 .…”