Time course of plasma gelsolin concentrations during severe sepsis in critically ill surgical patients
2008

Plasma Gelsolin Levels in Severe Sepsis

Sample size: 91 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Wang HaiHong, Cheng BaoLi, Chen QiXing, Wu ShuiJing, Lv Chen, Xie GuoHao, Jin Yue, Fang XiangMing

Primary Institution: The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University

Hypothesis

Does plasma gelsolin level predict the severity or clinical outcome of severe sepsis?

Conclusion

Plasma gelsolin may be a valuable marker for severe sepsis, with recovery of levels correlating with clinical improvement.

Supporting Evidence

  • Admission plasma gelsolin levels were significantly lower in severe sepsis patients compared to nonseptic critically ill patients and healthy controls.
  • Recovery of plasma gelsolin levels was observed in survivors of severe sepsis.
  • Admission plasma gelsolin was the only independent factor able to predict the occurrence of severe sepsis.

Takeaway

This study found that patients with severe sepsis have lower levels of a protein called gelsolin, and those who recover show an increase in gelsolin levels.

Methodology

The study measured plasma gelsolin levels in 91 patients with severe sepsis and compared them with nonseptic critically ill patients and healthy controls.

Limitations

The number of patients in the time course study was inadequate for definitive conclusions.

Participant Demographics

Patients were of Chinese Han origin, with a mean age of 68 years for nonsurvivors and 57.5 years for survivors.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/cc6988

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