Prioritized factors of severity prognosis in patients admitted for sepsis or septic shock in a resource-limited region of central Vietnam
Abstract
Objectives
The early diagnosis and prognostication of severity in sepsis plays a crucial role in determining appropriate treatment strategies. This study aimed to assess the role of cheaper prognostic factors including lactate/albumin ratio and platelet count in patients with sepsis as they are correlated with the rate of multiorgan failure, and mortality rate.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted on 146 adult patients diagnosed with sepsis and septic shock according to the Sepsis-3 definition. All patients were admitted at either the intensive care unit of Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital or Hue Central Hospital.
Results
Average age of patients was 67 years-old, with 37.7% having sepsis and 62.3% with septic shock. The overall mortality rate in the study was 51.4% (75/146 patients). Forty six patients (32.5%) had thrombocytopenia, with mild, moderate, and severe decreases accounting for 8.9%, 21.2%, and 1.4%, respectively. The lactate/albumin ratio with a cutoff of 2.1 was the best prognostic factor for mortality with an AUROC of 0.76, sensitivity of 58.7%, and specificity of 88.7% compared to other biomarkers including lactate (AUROC = 0.71), albumin (AUROC = 0.74), platelet count (AUROC = 0.65), white blood cell count (AUROC = 0.48), procalcitonin (AUROC = 0.43), and BE (AUROC = 0.44). Multivariate regression analysis identified the L/A ratio, platelet count, SOFA score as significant predictors of mortality in sepsis.
Conclusion
The lactate/albumin ratio with a cutoff of 2.1 is an available effective tool for severity prognosis of patients with sepsis/septic shock in developing countries.
© 2026 Thinh Tran Xuan, Lien Truong Thuc, Minh Nguyen Van, Cao Khoa Dang, Nhan Phuc Thanh Nguyen, Thong Tran Huu, Nancy Ha, Thang Phan, published by University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures
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