The Value of the Total Lymphocyte Count as a Risk Index of Hospital Infection in Critically Ill Patients.
10.4097/kjae.2003.44.6.S9
- Author:
Chul Ho CHANG
1
;
Chang Gyoo BYUN
;
Man Woo LEE
;
Joo Young JEONG
;
Cheung Soo SHIN
Author Information
1. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. Cheungsoo56@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Critically ill patient;
infection;
mortality;
total lymphocyte count
- MeSH:
Critical Illness*;
Cross Infection*;
Hospital Mortality;
Humans;
Incidence;
Intensive Care Units;
Length of Stay;
Lymphocyte Count*;
Lymphocyte Depletion;
Lymphopenia;
Mortality
- From:Korean Journal of Anesthesiology
2003;44(6):S9-S13
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
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.
