• M F Prieto, J Kilstein, D Bagilet, and S M Pezzotto.
• Segunda Cátedra de Clínica Médica. Hospital Escuela Eva Perón. Granadero Baigorria. Rosario. Argentina. maflorenciap@yahoo.com.ar
• Med Intensiva. 2008 Dec 1; 32 (9): 424-30.

ObjectiveTo determine C-reactive protein (CRP) prognostic value and in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).DesignRetrospective cohort study.PatientsA total of 879 patients admitted to the ICU for any cause over a 2-year period and who were hospitalized at least for 24 hours were studied.MethodCRP levels were determined on admission and the value of the APACHE II score at 24 hours. The CRP values were correlated with APACHE II score along with other variables (gender, age, disease at onset, length of stay).ResultsThe highest CRP levels were those from subjects admitted for an infectious disease or shock-sepsis-multiple organ failure. Patients with CRP values greater than 10 mg/dl were older, had higher APACHE II score, remained hospitalized for more time and the mortality rate was higher in this group (p < 0.0001). CRP predictive value for mortality was higher as it increased in level with a specificity of 72.3% when these were over 10 mg/dl.ConclusionsCRP is an early and specific indicator of outcome, qualities that make it useful as a routine test of patients at admission to the ICU.

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