Elevated C-reactive protein levels at ICU discharge as a predictor of ICU outcome: a retrospective cohort study

Background: Before discharging a patient from the ICU, an adequate patient evaluation is needed to detect individuals as high risk for unfavorable outcome. A pro- or anti-inflammatory status is a potential risk factor for an adverse outcome, and elevated CRP concentrations have shown to correlate with organ failure. Several studies have been performed to evaluate the use of CRP as a marker of post-ICU prognosis. Results are seemingly conflicting, and it is worthwhile to investigate these markers further as CRP is an adequate marker of pro- and anti-inflammatory status of the patient. We aimed to test the hypothesis that elevated CRP levels at ICU discharge are associated with an increased risk of ICU readmission and in-hospital mortality in patients with a prolonged ICU stay. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed in a single-center hospital with an 18-bed mixed medical/surgical ICU. Patients discharged alive from the ICU with at least 48-h ICU length of stay were evaluated. Patients were distributed into two groups: ‘high CRP’ (≥75 mg/L) and ‘low CRP’ (
Source: Epidemiologic Perspectives and Innovations - Category: Epidemiology Authors: Source Type: research