Severe protein C deficiency association with organ dysfunction and mortality in patients with severe sepsis

Introduction

We sought to determine whether severe protein C (PC) deficiency was associated with organ dysfunction (OD) and mortality in adult patients with severe sepsis.

Methods

Retrospective examination of Lilly trials in adult patients with severe sepsis in which PC measurements were obtained at baseline. Severe PC deficiency was defined as ≤ 40% of normal. The Student t test was used to compare mean APACHE II and OD differences, while the chi-squared or Fisher's exact test was used for mortality.

Results

Severe PC deficiency was associated with a statistically significant increase in the mean APACHE II score in two of four trials, a significant increase in the mean OD in three of four trials, and a significant increase in mortality in two of three trials (Table 1).

Table 1 abstract p7

Conclusion

Severe PC deficiency at baseline appears to be associated with a greater degree of organ dysfunction, and increased mortality in adult patients with severe sepsis.