Plasma DNA Levels Predict Mortality and Sepsis in ICU Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Andrew Rhodes, Stephen J. Wort, Helen Thomas, Paul Collinson, E. David Bennett
Primary Institution: St George's Hospital, London, UK
Hypothesis
Can plasma DNA levels on admission to the ICU predict disease severity or prognosis?
Conclusion
Plasma DNA may be a useful prognostic marker of mortality and sepsis in intensive care patients.
Supporting Evidence
- Plasma DNA levels were significantly higher in ICU patients than in healthy controls.
- Patients who developed sepsis had higher plasma DNA levels than those who did not.
- Plasma DNA was an independent predictor of mortality in ICU patients.
Takeaway
Doctors can check the amount of DNA in the blood of very sick patients to help figure out if they might get worse or die.
Methodology
Fifty-two ICU patients had blood samples taken on admission, and plasma DNA levels were measured using a PCR method.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the observational nature of the study and lack of informed consent.
Limitations
The study's control group was not age-matched with the ICU patients, and the sample preparation methods varied.
Participant Demographics
Mean age of patients was 62 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 32:20.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.001
Confidence Interval
95% confidence interval, 1.0–1.004
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website