A prospective study on prognostic value of hypocholestrolemia in sepsis

Background: Sepsis is a major cause of mortality in adult, non-coronary intensive care units (ICUs) and holds significant clinical importance. Multicentre prospective surveys have shown that 1% of hospitalized patients experience bacteraemia, with 0.3% suffering from bacteraemia with severe sepsis. These rates increase eightfold and thirtyfold, respectively, when ICU admissions are considered. Approximately 10% of ICU patients have sepsis, 6% have severe sepsis, and 2-3% experience septic shock.
Aim: This study aimed to assess the dynamic changes in serum cholesterol levels in sepsis patients and evaluate whether these cholesterol levels correlate with prognosis using the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score.
Materials and methods: A comprehensive analysis was conducted over 18 months on 115 patients with sepsis. SOFA scores and lipid profiles were collected at ICU admission (day 0) and day 3. Patients were categorized into two groups based on their total cholesterol: Group A (<160 mg/dl) and Group B (>160 mg/dl). Statistical analysis was performed to examine differences.
Results: The study found that 56.5% of patients had cholesterol <160 mg/dl (Group A) and 43.5% had >160 mg/dl (Group B). Significant differences in cholesterol and SOFA scores between groups were observed on days 0 and 3 (p < 0.001). Mortality was higher in Group B, indicating that hypocholesterolaemia is associated with increased mortality risk.
Conclusion: This study suggests that monitoring cholesterol levels can serve as a prognostic tool in sepsis. An increasing cholesterol trend may indicate a better disease outcome.