Comparing the Prognostic Values of Serum hs-CRP and IL-6 with SOFA in Patients with Sepsis and Septic Shock

Background: Sepsis and septic shock are life-threatening conditions with high mortality rates. Early identification and accurate prognostic markers are crucial for improving patient outcomes. This study aims to compare the prognostic values of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) with the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score in patients with sepsis and septic shock. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 400 patients admitted to the medical ward and ICU of Jawahar Lal Nehru Hospital, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India, from October 2022 to September 2023. Patients were categorized into two groups based on outcome: mortality (death) and survival. Serum hs-CRP, IL6, and SOFA scores were measured on days 0, 3, and 7. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20 software. Results: The mortality rate in the sepsis cohort was 15%. The mean age of the patients was 52.13±13.82 years, with no significant difference between the mortality and survival groups. The prevalence of diabetes and hypertension was significantly higher in the mortality group. Mean hs-CRP and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the mortality group compared to the survival group at all time points. The SOFA score was also significantly higher in the mortality group. ROC analysis showed that IL-6 had the highest sensitivity (98%) and specificity (99%) in predicting mortality, followed by hs-CRP (95% sensitivity, 95.6% specificity). Conclusion: Serum hs-CRP and IL-6 are valuable prognostic markers for sepsis and septic shock. IL-6, in particular, demonstrated superior sensitivity and specificity in predicting mortality. Combining these biomarkers with the SOFA score can enhance prognostic accuracy and guide early intervention strategies.