| The Value of the Total Lymphocyte Count as a Risk Index of Hospital Infection in Critically Ill Patients. |
|
Chul Ho Chang, Chang Gyoo Byun, Man Woo Lee, Joo Young Jeong, Cheung Soo Shin |
1Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. Cheungsoo56@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr
2Department of Surgery, National Police Hospital, Seoul, Korea. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Abstract |
BACKGROUND
Lymphocytopenia is a common finding in critically ill patients while lymphocyte depletion in critically ill patients is presumed to have little clinical significance. However, a total lymphocyte count has been reported to provide prognostic information in surgical patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of a total lymphocyte count (TLC) with a prognostic criterion in critically ill patients.
METHODS
The patients were divided into three groups according to their TLC on admission to intensive care unit (ICU) (Group 1: TLC > 1.0 x 10(9)/L, Group 2: 0.7 x 10(9)/L < TLC < 1.0 x 10(9)/L, and Group 3: TLC <0.7 x 10(9)/L).
Outcomes examined were patients' in-hospital mortality, length of hospital stay and incidence of infection.
RESULTS
Patients with a TLC less than 0.7 x 10(9)/L (Group 3) had an infection twice (32% VS 15%) as often as those with a TLC more than 0.7 109/L (Group 1 2). But, in the hospital stay and mortality, there was no significant difference among the groups.
CONCLUSIONS
TLC is very useful indicator in critically ill patients with a high risk of hospital infection on ICU admission. |
| Key Words:
Critically ill patient; infection; mortality; total lymphocyte count |
|
PDF Links
Full text via DOI
Download Citation
