Neutrophil-to-Albumin Ratio as A Novel Predictor of Mortality in Patients with Sepsis

Abstract

Background and Objective: Sepsis is a syndrome involving physiological, pathological, and biochemical abnormalities caused by infection. Very few studies have been performed to evaluate the prognostic value of the neutrophil-to-albumin ratio. The present study aimed to evaluate the neutrophil-to-albumin ratio in patients with sepsis admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Materials and Methods: All patients admitted to the ICU with a diagnosis of sepsis were included in the study. The inclusion criteria entailed the age range of ≥18 years, having sepsis, and hospitalization in the ICU for more than two weeks. Results: A total of 75 patients with a mean age of 72.34 years were evaluated, and 57.8% of cases died. There was a significant difference between neutrophils on the second and third days between deceased and discharged patients. The neutrophil-to-albumin ratio at the time of admission, the second day, and the third day were 31.62, 33.36, and 34.31, respectively; nonetheless, no significant difference was observed between the deceased and discharged (P>0.05). Conclusion: As evidenced by the results of this study, the neutrophil-to-albumin ratio in deceased patients was higher than that in discharged ones; however, this difference was not statistically significant. Moreover, neutrophil percentage, duration of mechanical ventilation, and duration of hospitalization in deceased patients were significantly higher, as compared to those in discharged patients.

Keywords

• neutrophil-to-albumin ratio
• sepsis mortality
• septic shock