The systemic inflammation-based Glasgow Prognostic Score as a prognostic factor in patients with acute heart failure

Systemic inflammation-based Glasgow Prognostic Score as a prognostic indicator in chronic heart failure

Background

The Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), based on C-reactive protein and serum albumin concentrations provides useful prognostic information for patients with cancer or acute decompensated heart failure (HF). Herein, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between the GPS and long-term prognosis in patients with chronic HF.

Methods

In this large multicentre prospective observational study, part of the Chronic Heart Failure Analysis and Registry in the Tohoku District-2 (CHART-2) Study, we analysed the relationship between mortality and the GPS in 6,480 patients with chronic HF (mean age, 68 ± 13 years; 69 % male). Patients with elevated C-reactive protein levels (>1.0 mg/dL) and hypoalbuminaemia (<3.5 g/dL) received a GPS of 2; those with either received a GPS of 1, and those with neither received a GPS of 0.

Results

During median follow-up of 9.62 years, 2,564 patients (39.6 %) died. Increased GPS was associated with a significantly higher mortality risk in Kaplan-Meier analysis (log-rank P < 0.0001). This trend was consistent across sex, age, New York Heart Association class, HF stage and type, and cancer history. Adjusted Cox proportional hazards analysis showed the following hazard ratios for all-cause death, relative to a GPS of 0, 1.27 (95 % confidence interval, 1.13-1.44; P < 0.0001) for a GPS of 1 and 1.83 (95 % confidence interval, 1.45-2.32; P < 0.0001) for a GPS of 2. This increased risk was independent of B-type natriuretic peptide levels.

Conclusions

The GPS, which reflects systemic inflammation status, is a useful predictor of long-term prognosis in patients with chronic HF.

Inflammation-based scores predict chronic kidney disease progression in patients with chronic kidney disease and chronic heart failure

BACKGROUND

Inflammation is associated with adverse outcomes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) or chronic heart failure (CHF), but few large data exist. We aimed to explore the clinical associations, and prognostic consequences of inflammation-based scores in patients with CKD and CHF.

METHODS

This work was a retrospective cohort study. Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) and Prognostic Index (PI), were used to explore its relationship with CKD progression in patients with CKD stage 1-3b and CHF from the China Renal Data System (CRDS). The composite end point of this study was CKD progression which was defined as eGFR reduction of 40% or progression to end stage renal disease (ESRD).

RESULTS

Of 8491 patients were enrolled. Kaplan-Meier curve showed that compared to the lower inflammation-based scores, the increased scores have a higher rate of CKD progression, whether in GPS, mGPS, PNI or PI (log-rank test, p < 0.001). After considering competing risk events, multivariable Cox hazards analysis revealed that GPS and PNI scores were significantly related to CKD progression [GPS: hazard ratio (HR) 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11-1.76, p = 0.005; PNI: HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.25-1.89, p < 0.001]. PNI showed acceptable prognostic value (C-index = 0.757, 95% CI 0.734-0.78) compared to GPS, mGPS and PI. In subgroup analysis, PNI was consistently related to CKD progression in patients with or without hypertension, DM, MI, VDH and CVD (P for interaction > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Inflammation-based scores, especially PNI may be a useful clinical biomarker for CKD progression in CKD with CHF patients.

Validation and Comparison of the Prognosis Predicting Ability of Inflammation-Based Scores Following Endovascular Treatment for Peripheral Artery Disease

We assessed the prognostic ability of several inflammation-based scores and compared their long-term outcomes in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) following endovascular treatment (EVT). We included 278 patients with PAD who underwent EVT and classified them according to their inflammation-based scores (Glasgow prognostic score [GPS], modified GPS [mGPS], platelet to lymphocyte ratio [PLR], prognostic index [PI], and prognostic nutritional index [PNI]). Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at 5 years were examined, and C-statistics in each measure were calculated to compare their MACE predictive ability. During the follow-up period, 96 patients experienced MACE. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that higher scores of all measures were associated with a higher MACE incidence. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that GPS 2, mGPS 2, PLR 1, and PNI 1, compared with GPS 0, mGPS 0, PLR 0, and PNI 0, were associated with an increased risk of MACE. C-statistics for MACE for PNI (.683) were greater than those for GPS (.635, P = .021), mGPS (.580, P = .019), PLR (.604, P = .024), and PI (.553, P < .001). PNI is associated with MACE risk and has a better prognosis-predicting ability than other inflammation-scoring models for patients with PAD following EVT.

CRP/albumin, Glasgow prognostic score, and prognostic nutritional index as a predictor of mortality among delirium patients

BACKGROUND

With the older populations growing each year, high mortality rates make delirium a valuable topic.

AIM

We aimed to analyze the parameters that could predict 30 days of mortality of the patients diagnosed in the emergency department (ED) with delirium.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 85 patients with a diagnosis of delirium. Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin values of the patients and 30-day mortality rate were computed. The effectiveness of GPS, PNI, and CRP/albumin parameters in predicting 30-day mortality was analyzed.

RESULTS

The findings showed that the optimal cut-off value for albumin as determined by Youden's index in estimation of 30-day mortality was ≤ 36.8 [AUC: 0.830 (95% CI: 0.733-0.903; p < 0.001), with a sensitivity of 85.71% and specificity of 76.36%], while cut-off value for CRP/albumin was > 0.974 [AUC: 0.753 (95% CI: 0.647-0.840; p < 0.001); with a sensitivity of 85.71% and specificity of 70.51%], and cut-off value for PNI was ≤ 39.05 [AUC: 0.850 (95% CI: 0.756-0.918; p < 0.001) sensitivity 71.43% and specificity 92.31%]. Significant effectiveness of the values of GPS (odds ratio (OR) = 6.69; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.69-26.37), PNI (OR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.74-0.95), albumin (OR = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.71-0.94), and CAD (OR = 10.5; 95% CI: 1.85-59.45) was observed for predicting mortality in univariate regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings obtained in this study suggest that GPS, PNI, and albumin parameters could be used to guide the clinician in predicting the 30-day mortality of patients diagnosed with delirium.

Glasgow prognostic score and its derived scores predicts contrast-associated acute kidney injury in patients undergoing coronary angiography

BACKGROUND

Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) is a reliable scoring system reflecting both nutritional and inflammatory factors. The association of inflammation and nutrition with contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) has been validated. This study set out to determine the impact of GPS and its derived scores on CA-AKI incidence.

METHODS

Populations treated with coronary angiography with/without percutaneous coronary intervention were screened retrospectively. According to C-reactive protein and albumin, three kinds of GPSs were involved: GPS, modified GPS (mGPS), and the cutoff-based GPS (cGPS) which was derived by calculating the optimal cutoff values of two parameters. Primary endpoint was CA-AKI. Pearson' r correlation, linear/logistic regression, receiver operating characteristic curve as well as subgroup analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Totally, 3150 patients were valid for analysis, and the mean age was 67.5 years old, with 66.4 % male. Of these, 610 patients suffered CA-AKI. All three kinds of GPSs were independently associated with the SCr elevation proportion (GPS: β = 4.850, 95%CI [3.700 to 8.722], P < 0.001; mGPS: β = 3.450, 95%CI [1.896 to 6.888], P = 0.001; cGPS: β = 3.992, 95%CI [2.368 to 6.940], P < 0.001). GPS, mGPS and cGPS were proved to be the independent risk factors for CA-AKI risk (all P for trend <0.05). Compared with GPS and mGPS, cGPS was of greater prognostic value for predicting CA-AKI incidence (cGPS: AUC = 0.633; mGPS: AUC = 0.567; GPS: AUC = 0.611). Main findings were also consistent in all subgroup analysis.

CONCLUSION

Preprocedural GPS and its derived scores (mGPS and cGPS), especially cGPS, were correlated with the incidence of CA-AKI, which might assist in clinical decision making in treating CA-AKI.

Short-Term Prognostic Efficacy of mGPS and LCS in Patients With Acute Heart Failure

Aim

Systemic inflammation plays an important role in the occurrence and development of acute heart failure. The modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) and “lymphocyte C-reactive protein score” (LCS) are used to assess the inflammation levels in cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the prognostic value of these two inflammation-related scoring systems in patients with acute heart failure.

Methods

Two hundred and fifty patients with acute heart failure were enrolled in this study. The mGPS and LCS scores were recorded after admission. All patients were divided into 2 groups: the death group and the survival group according to the 3-month follow-up results. The predictive values of mGPS and LCS were assessed using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analyses. Univariate and multivariate logistic analyses were used to evaluate the relationships between variables and endpoint.

Results

The levels of mGPS and LCS in the death group were significantly higher than those in the survival group (P < 0.05). The areas under the ROC curve of the mGPS and LCS for predicting death were 0.695 (95%CI: 0.567~0.823) and 0.736 (95%CI: 0.616~0.856), respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that both LCS, LVEF and serum direct bilirubin were independent predictors of all-cause death, excluding mGPS.

Conclusions

Compared with mGPS, LCS is independently associated with short-term outcomes in patients with acute heart failure. LCS was a clinically promising and feasible prognostic scoring system for patients with acute heart failure.

Association of Serum C-Reactive Protein Level and Treatment Duration in Acute Cholecystitis Patients Treated Conservatively

Background: Acute cholecystitis (AC) is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases that require hospitalization and surgical treatment. The treatment of the disease depends upon the severity of the disease and the patients’ medical status.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate if there is an association between the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) value and treatment response and the duration and length of hospital stay in AC patients who are treated conservatively.

Methodology: The medical records of all patients with the diagnosis of AC who were treated with conservative management were included in the study. The demographic and laboratory data including CRP level at first admission to hospital, length of hospital stay, and complications during the conservative treatment were obtained from the patients’ records. Patients were divided into two groups according to the treatment response and length of hospital stay. Group 1 patients were defined as patients who responded to the medical treatment in less than three days, and Group 2 patients were defined as patients who did not respond to the medical treatment in three days and stayed at the hospital for more than three days.

Results: We identified 101 patients with AC treated medically. Mean age (51.3 ± 16.3, 59.5 ± 15.7; p = 0.013), total leukocyte count (11.8 ± 4.4, 8.2 ± 2.8; p = 0.0005), and CRP value (19.3 ± 13.9, 9.6 ± 5.2; p = 0.0003) were higher in Group 2 compared to Group 1. Correlation analyses demonstrated a significant positive association between the length of hospital stay, total leukocyte count (r = 0.35; p = 0.0002), and CRP value (r = 0.59; p = 0.0004).

Conclusion: We found that CRP level is associated with treatment duration and hospital stay in AC patients. However, large-scale, prospective further studies are needed to confirm our results and to determine whether CRP levels can be used to discriminate which patient would benefit from medical treatment.

Inflammation-based assessment for the risk stratification of mortality in patients with heart failure

The Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) has been established as a useful resource to evaluate inflammation and malnutrition and predict prognosis in several cancers. However, its prognostic significance in patients with heart failure (HF) is not well established. To investigate the association between the GPS and mortality in patients with HF, we assessed 870 patients who were 20 years old and more and had been admitted for acute decompensated HF. The GPS ranged from 0 to 2 points as previously reported. Over the 18-month follow-up (follow-up rate, 83.9%), 143 patients died. Increasing GPS was associated with higher HF severity assessed by New York Heart Association functional class and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed significant associations for mortality and increased GPS. In multivariate analysis, compared to the GPS 0 group, the GPS 2 group was associated with high mortality (hazard ratio 2.92, 95% confidence interval 1.77–4.81, p < 0.001) after adjustment for age, sex, blood pressure, HF history, HF severity, hemoglobin, renal function, sodium, BNP, left ventricular ejection fraction, and anti-HF medications. In conclusion, high GPS was significantly associated with worse prognosis in patients with HF. Inflammation-based assessment by the GPS may enable simple evaluation of HF severity and prognosis.

Predictive Value of the Serum Cystatin C/Prealbumin Ratio in Combination With NT-proBNP Levels for Long-Term Prognosis in Chronic Heart Failure Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Aim: The present study was established to investigate the use of the serum cystatin C/prealbumin (Cys-C/PAB) ratio as a predictive factor for long-term prognosis in patients with chronic heart failure.

Methods: We divided our retrospective cohort of 6,311 patients admitted to hospital due to an episode of heart failure (HF) into three groups according to the Cys-C/PAB ratio. The endpoints were cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Median follow-up time were 3.3 years (2–8 years), during which 2,945 (46.7%) patients died.

Results: The Cys-C/PAB ratio was revealed to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality (HR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.15–1.23, P < 0.01) and all-cause mortality (HR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.13–1.24, P < 0.01) by multivariable Cox analysis. Integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) showed that the Cys-C/PAB ratio in conjunction with the level of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) conferred a significant improvement in predicting individual risks of cardiovascular (P = 0.023) and all-cause (P = 0.028) mortality. For those with a high Cys-C/PAB ratio in combination with a high NT-proBNP level, the long-term cardiovascular mortality risk ratio was 8.6-times higher than for those with low values, and 7.51-times for all-cause mortality. Our study also showed that Cys-C/PAB and NT-proBNP in combination displayed higher value for the prediction of cardiovascular and all-cause in-hospital mortality in patients with HF.

Conclusions: The Cys-C/PAB ratio is valuable for predicting cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in patients with HF and offers additional information to that provided by NT-proBNP.

Serological Biomarkers and Diversion Colitis: Changes after Stimulation with Probiotics

Diversion colitis is a non-specific inflammation of a defunctionalised segment of the colon after a temporary stoma has been performed. This inflammation is associated with an alteration of certain inflammatory serum markers. The aims of this study were, firstly, to evaluate the modification of inflammatory biomarkers after stimulation with probiotics prior to closure of the protective ileostomy. Secondly, to identify if a relationship could be established between the severity of diversion colitis and the alteration of inflammatory biomarkers in the blood. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study was conducted. Patients who underwent surgery for colorectal carcinoma with protective ileostomy between January 2017 and December 2018 were included, pending reconstructive surgery and with diversion colitis as diagnosis. The sample was randomly divided into a group stimulated with probiotics (SG) (n = 34) and a control group (CG) (n = 35). Histological and endoscopic changes were evaluated after stimulation, after restorative surgery and during the short-term follow-up after surgery, including the correlation with pro-inflammatory biomarkers in blood. As main findings, a significant decrease in C-reactive protein (CRP), Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR ratio), and monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (LMR ratio) was observed in the SG versus the CG with a p < 0.001. A significant increase in transferrin values and in the platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) was observed in the SG versus CG after stimulation with probiotics with a p < 0.001. A normalisation of CRP and transferrin levels was observed in the third month of follow-up after closure ileostomy, and NLR, LMR and PLR ratios were equal in both groups. Decreased modified Glasgow prognostic score was found in SG compared to CG after probiotic stimulation (p < 0.001). The endoscopic and histological severity of diversion colitis is associated with a greater alteration of blood inflammatory biomarkers. The stimulation with probiotics prior to reconstructive surgery promotes an early normalization of these parameters.

Stage-related implications of community-acquired pressure injuries for the acute medical inpatients

AIMS

To analyse the prevalence of any-stage pressure injuries at hospital admission and their impact on short-, mid- and late-term mortality. Patient characteristics associated with pressure injuries and the impact on hospital costs were also investigated.

BACKGROUND

In medical patients acutely admitted to hospital, no study analysed the presence of pre-existing pressure injuries and the related short- and long-term mortality according to the overall stages of severity thereof.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study following the STROBE guideline.

METHODS

In a population of 7217 acute medical inpatients, the presence and staging of pressure injuries were assessed at hospital admission. The impact of pressure injury on 30-, 180- and 365-day mortality was analysed by multivariate Cox regression models.

RESULTS

The prevalence of community-acquired pressure injuries was 14.9% (stage-1: 8.1%; stage-2: 3.5%; stage-3: 1.6%; stage-4: 1.1%; unstageable: 0.5%). Hemiplegia/paraplegia, anaemia, poor functional status, high nutritional risk, clinical instability and systemic inflammatory response, but not hydration status, were found to be associated with the occurrence of stage-2-and-above pressure injuries. An increasing difference was found in Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRG) weight according to pressure injury stages. A distinct and progressively increasing risk-of-death for any-stage pressure injury was shown after 365-days. A significantly increased mortality risk for all considered time intervals was found for unstageable and stage-4 pressure injuries.

CONCLUSIONS

In acute medical inpatients, the presence of community-acquired pressure injuries is part of a multidimensional clinical complexity. The presence and staging of pressure injuries have an independent dramatic impact on of early-to-late mortality and hospital costs.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

This study documented as community-acquired pressure injuries are highly prevalent and represents an independent predictor of outcomes in strict dependence of the progression of thereof stage. The presence of community-acquired pressure injuries should be interpreted as a critical marker of frailty and increased vulnerability.

The inflammation-based modified Glasgow prognostic score is associated with survival in stable heart failure patients

AIMS

The progression of heart failure is presumably dependent on the individual inflammatory host response. The combination of the inflammatory markers, albumin, and C-reactive protein, termed modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS), has been derived from cancer patients and validated in multiple cohorts. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the easily available mGPS on survival of stable patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Patients with stable HFrEF undergoing routine ambulatory care between January 2011 and November 2017 have been identified from a prospective registry at the Medical University of Vienna. Comorbidities, laboratory data as well as the nutritional risk index at baseline were assessed. All-cause mortality was defined as the primary study end point. The mGPS was calculated, and its association with heart failure severity and impact on overall survival were determined. Data were analysed for a total of 443 patients. The mGPS was 0 for 352 (80%), 1 for 76 (17%), and 2 for 14 (3%) patients, respectively. Elevation of mGPS was associated with worsening of routine laboratory parameters linked to prognosis, especially NT-proBNP [median 1830 pg/mL (IQR 764-3455) vs. 4484 pg/mL (IQR 1565-8003) vs. 6343 pg/mL (IQR 3750-15401) for mGPS 0, 1, and 2, respectively; P < 0.001] and nutritional risk index. In the Cox regression analysis, the increase of mGPS was associated with adverse outcome in the univariate analysis [crude hazard ratio 3.00 (95% CI 2.14-4.21), P < 0.001] and after adjustment for multiple covariates as age, gender, body mass index, and glomerular filtration rate as well as heart failure severity reflected by NT-proBNP and New York Heart Association class [adj. hazard ratio 1.87 (95% CI 1.19-2.93), P = 0.006].

CONCLUSIONS

Enhanced inflammation and nutritional depletion are more common in advanced heart failure. The inflammation-based score mGPS predicts survival in HFrEF patients independently of NT-proBNP emphasizing the significance of the individual pro-inflammatory response on prognosis.

Modified Glasgow Prognostic Score is a novel predictor of clinical outcome in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Objectives. Although the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) has been reported to have prognostic value in patients with various cancers, the association between mGPS and prognosis in patients with heart diseases have not been well studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of mGPS in outcomes of patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Design. We prospectively followed consecutive adult patients with HFpEF admitted to the cardiology outpatient unit. Echocardiographic and laboratory data were recorded at enrolment. mGPS was scored as 0, 1, or 2 based on C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin levels. Patients with both elevated CRP (>1 mg/dL) and hypoalbuminemia (<3.5 g/dL) are given mGPS of 2, patients with serum CRP ≤ 1 g/dL with or without hypoalbuminemia received scores of 0. Patients with only elevated CRP levels received mGPS of 1. The primary composite endpoint of the study was all-cause mortality or heart failure hospitalization through one year. Results. A total of 315 HFpEF outpatients were included, and 42 (13.3%) reached the primary endpoint at one year of follow-up. Compared to patients without mortality or heart failure-related hospitalization, patients who reached the primary endpoint during follow-up were older, were more likely be symptomatic, had higher N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and mGPS levels at study entry. Multivariate analysis showed that both NT-proBNP and mGPS were independent predictors of primary composite endpoint. Combining NT-proBNP with mGPS improved its prognostic value with an increase of area under the receiver operating characteristic curve from 0.759 to 0.822 (p = .001). Conclusion. This is the first study which demonstrates that mGPS is a predictor of outcomes in patients with HFpEF.

A Systematic Inflammation-based Model in Advanced Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Emerging evidence revealed the critical role of systematic inflammation in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In the present study, we reviewed the records of 279 patients with advanced PDAC. Among them, 147 cases were used as the training cohort and another 132 as the validation cohort. In the training cohort, distant metastasis, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) were independent prognostic factors in Cox regression. A nomogram based on these factors was generated to predict median survival time and survival probabilities at 6, 12, and 18 months. The nomogram showed a better discriminatory ability than the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM staging (C-index: 0.727 vs. 0.610). In the validation cohort, a nomogram composed of the same variables also showed a high discriminatory ability (C-index: 0.784). In the low-risk group with a nomogram total point (NTP) value of more than 175, patients receiving combination therapy showed better prognosis than those receiving monotherapy (P=0.015). In conclusion, the nomogram based on inflammatory biomarkers can serve as useful prognostic tool for advanced PDAC. In addition, patients with high NTP can greater benefit from combination chemotherapy than monotherapy.

The Glasgow prognostic score as a significant predictor of clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND

Many studies have reported both systemic inflammatory response and malnutrition provide valuable predictions of prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This study aims to assess the association between the Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) by combining C-reactive protein and serum albumin concentration, and clinical outcomes in patients with ACS.

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients admitted for ACS between June 2010 and May 2013 in St. Vincent's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea. In this study, high GPS was defined as a GPS≥1. Primary outcomes were 12-month all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, stroke, stent thrombosis and target vessel revascularization. We used an inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis to adjust for potential confounding covariates and presented event rates with Kaplan-Meier curves.

RESULTS

Total 593 patients were included and follow-up for a median 3.7 years. The patients were classified into two groups: GPS=0 (n=424, 71.5%) and GPS≥1 (n=169, 28.5%). The incidences of primary outcomes were 4% and 8.9% for the GPS=0 and GPS≥1, respectively. The primary outcomes and all-cause mortality difference between the two groups were significantly within 1 month in the Kaplan-Meier curve analysis (log rank p<0.001, log rank p<0.001, respectively). IPTW analysis showed high GPS was independently associated with higher incidence of primary outcomes (HR: 2.206; 95% CI: 1.085-4.486; p=0.029), higher all-cause mortality (HR: 5.963; 95% CI: 2.068-17.190; p<0.001) and higher cardiovascular mortality (HR: 6.122; 95% CI: 1.882-19.914; p=0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

High GPS is independently associated with both total and cardiovascular mortality in patients with ACS. Hence, GPS could be helpful in predicting mortality in ACS patients.

Prognostic value of the absolute lymphocyte count in patients admitted for acute heart failure

BACKGROUND

Low relative lymphocyte count is an important prognostic marker in acute heart failure (AHF); however, it could be influenced by other abnormalities in white cells count. Our purpose is to evaluate if low absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) is an independent predictor of events in patients with AHF.

METHODS

In a retrospective analysis, we included 309 patients with AHF, divided into two groups according to the median value of ALC at admission (1410 cells/μl). The primary end point was all-cause mortality or urgent heart transplantation within 1 year.

RESULTS

Patients with low ALC were older and had more comorbidity, namely atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and anemia. Low ALC was associated with higher all-cause mortality or urgent heart transplantation at 1 year (24.3 vs 13.0%; P = 0.012). In a multivariable model, the independent predictors of mortality at 1 year were ALC 1410 cells/μl or less at admission [hazard ratio 2.04; CI (confidence interval) 95% (1.06-3.95); P = 0.033], age [hazard ratio 1.08; CI 95% (1.04-1.12); P < 0.001], baseline serum creatinine [hazard ratio 1.25; CI 95% (1.05-1.50); P = 0.012] and baseline serum Na [hazard ratio 0.91; CI 95% (0.85-0.98); P = 0.013].

CONCLUSION

Low ALC in patients with AHF is associated with higher in-hospital mortality during the hospitalization and is an independent predictor of long-term mortality.

Inflammation-based prognostic scores predict disease severity in patients with acute cholecystitis

BACKGROUND

Although several investigators have reported that inflammation-based prognostic scores can predict disease severity in patients with various inflammatory diseases, whether or not these scores are associated with disease severity in patients with acute cholecystitis (AC) has not yet been fully clarified.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Two hundred and sixty-two patients with AC were reviewed retrospectively. We evaluated the correlations between demographic or clinical variables, including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), and the C-reactive protein/albumin (CRP/Alb) ratio, as well as the disease severity grade on the basis of the revised Tokyo guidelines. Multivariate analyses were carried out to identify the clinical parameters associated with disease severity grade.

RESULTS

The NLR (P<0.0001), GPS (P<0.0001), mGPS (P<0.0001), and CRP/Alb ratio (P<0.0001) were all elevated according to the severity grade. Multivariate analyses showed that the NLR [odds ratio (OR)=3.41-4.77; P<0.005], GPS (OR=2.49; P=0.012), mGPS (OR=2.79; P=0.005), and the CRP/Alb ratio (OR=12.53; P<0.0001) were associated independently with grade II/III AC. The value of the area under the curve of the CRP/Alb ratio (continuous 0.759) or NLR (continuous 0.753) was higher than that of other inflammation-based prognostic scores for diagnosing ≥grade II AC, grade III AC, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Inflammation-based prognostic scores could predict the severity grade independently in patients with AC. These scores may play a complementary role in predicting disease severity in patients with AC in conjunction with the Tokyo guidelines severity grade.

Validation and optimization of the Systemic Inflammation-Based modified Glasgow Prognostic Score in predicting postoperative outcome of inflammatory bowel disease: preliminary data

Systemic Inflammation-Based modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) was developed as an objective tool to grade state of inflammation. However, the association between mGPS and postoperative complications for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients was still unknown. In our study, 270 IBD patients [Crohn’s disease (CD), n = 186; Ulcerative colitis (UC), n = 84] from January 2013 and January 2016 who underwent elective bowel resection were retrospectively analyzed, and, the levels of preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin were included as parameters of mGPS. The incidence of overall postoperative complications was 44.81% (121/270), including 46.77% (87/186) of CD and 40.48% (34/84) of UC. According to multivariate analysis, mGPS (CD: OR = 3.47, p = 0.003; UC: OR = 3.28, p = 0.019) was independently associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications. Patients with a higher mGPS also suffered longer postoperative stay and increased SSIs (both p < 0.05). Combining mGPS with neutrophil ratio improved its prognostic value with a better area under the curve (AUC), using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) method. Then we confirmed that mGPS was associated with postoperative complications in IBD patients undergoing elective bowel resection and the addition of neutrophil ratio enhanced its prognostic value.

The thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) level in serum at an early stage of a drug eruption is a prognostic biomarker of severity of systemic inflammation

BACKGROUND

In severe drug eruptions, precise evaluation of disease severity at an early stage is needed to start appropriate treatment. It is not always easy to diagnose these conditions at their early stage. In addition, there are no reported prognostic biomarkers of disease severity in drug eruptions. The aim of this study was to test whether the thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) level in serum at an early stage of a drug eruption can serve as a prognostic biomarker of systemic inflammation.

METHODS

Study participants included 76 patients who received a diagnosis of a drug eruption, one of the following: drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms/drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome, maculopapular exanthema, and erythema multiforme. Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) was eliminated in this study because scoring system for evaluating the severity was established. Correlation coefficients between serum TARC levels and indicators of systemic inflammation, including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, Glasgow prognostic score, modified systemic inflammatory response syndrome (mSIRS) score, and C-reactive protein in serum were evaluated.

RESULTS

Serum TARC levels positively correlated with the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, Glasgow prognostic score, mSIRS score, C-reactive protein, albumin, white blood cell count, body temperature, and pulse rate. TARC levels negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure. Among these parameters, the mSIRS score showed strong correlation (correlation coefficient: 0.68).

CONCLUSIONS

Serum TARC levels correlate well with indicators of systemic inflammation and of disease severity among patients with a drug eruption except SJS/TEN. Serum TARC may be a prognostic biomarker of severity of inflammation in drug eruptions.

Impact of prealbumin on mortality and hospital readmission in patients with acute heart failure

BACKGROUND

Prealbumin is a maker of nutritional status and inflammation of potential prognostic value in acute heart failure (HF). The aim of this study is to evaluate if low prealbumin levels on admission predict mortality and readmissions in patients with acute HF.

METHOD

We conducted a prospective observational cohort study including 442 patients hospitalized for acute HF. Patients were classified in two groups according to prealbumin levels: "normal" prealbumin (>15mg) and "low" prealbumin (≤15mg/dL). End-points were mortality and readmissions (all-cause and HF-related) and the combined end-point of mortality/readmission at 180days.

RESULTS

Out of 442 patients, 159 (36%) had low and 283 (64%) had normal prealbumin levels Mean age was 79.6 (73.9-84.2, p=0,405) years and 183 (41%, p=0,482) were males. After a median 180days of follow-up, 108 (24%, p=0,021) patients died and 170 (38%, p=0,067) were readmitted. Mortality was higher in the low prealbumin group. The combined end-point was more frequent in the low prealbumin group (57% vs. 50%, p=0.199). In the multivariate analysis the following variables were associated with mortality or readmission: older age, exacerbated chronic HF, higher comorbidity, low systolic blood pressure and hemoglobin values and higher pro brain natriuretic peptide levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Low prealbumin is common (36%) in patients with acute heart failure and it is associated with a higher short-term mortality.

Pretreatment C-reactive protein to albumin ratio for predicting overall survival in advanced pancreatic cancer patients

Although previous studies demonstrated that elevated C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) predicted poor prognosis in various solid tumors, little was known about the prognostic value of CAR in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (APC). The aim of the present study was to assess CAR as one independent prognostic factor in predicting overall survival (OS) in APC patients who had received palliative chemotherapy. Data of 142 APC patients who received palliative chemotherapy between 2009 and 2014 were retrospectively documented. We classified the patients into two groups based on the optimal cutoff value of CAR identified by generating receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. The clinicopathological parameters were compared between two CAR groups. Pearson correlation test showed that the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) was inversely correlated with albumin (r = −0.387; P < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated overall survival (OS) was significantly longer in CAR < 0.156 group than CAR ≥ 0.156 group (11.2 vs 5.9 months, P < 0.001). CAR was an independent prognostic factor for OS in the Cox regression model (HR, 1.623; 95% CI, 1.093–2.410; P = 0.016). Furthermore, the discrimination ability of CAR (AUC = 0.648, P = 0.025) was slightly higher than that of other inflammation-based factors. Therefore, pretreatment CAR could be an independent prognostic biomarker for APC patients.

[The Glasgow inflammatory score and lung cancer: A predictor of admissions to emergency units]

INTRODUCTION

In a first study, we found predictive factors for hospital admission in lung cancer patients consulting at the emergency department. Knowing that systemic inflammation is a prognostic factor in cancer patients, the goal of our study was to determine whether systemic inflammation measured using the modified Glasgow prognostic score can improve the predictive value of our previous model.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study including all patients with lung cancer consulting at the emergency department of an oncology hospital between January 1st 2008 and December 31st 2010.

RESULTS

Of the 548 emergency department visits, C-reactive protein and albumin needed for calculating the Glasgow score, were available for 291 visits. Multivariate analysis identified three predictors of hospitalization subsequent to a visit at the emergency ward: the Modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) (OR=2.72; P<0.0001), arrival by ambulance (odds ratio [OR]=21.38; P<0.0001) and the presence of physical signs associated with the complaint (OR=2.72; P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The mGPS is an independent predictor for hospitalization in patients with lung cancer consulting at the emergency department.