The association between plasma gelsolin level and prognosis of burn patients

Abstract

Objective: To observe the change in plasma gelsolin levels among burn patients, and explore its impact on patient prognosis.

Methods: This prospective cohort study includes 98 burn patients with burns ≥30% TBSA, who were admitted to our institution between January 2010 and June 2013. Patients were grouped according to burn sizes, development and severity of sepsis, and survival from sepsis. The plasma gelsolin levels among different groups were compared by repeated measure ANOVA. The relationship between plasma gelsolin levels and the presence of sepsis and prognosis was examined by logistic regression.

Results: The plasma gelsolin levels decreased with increasing burn sizes and increasing sepsis severity, with the lowest gelsolin level observed at 7 days after the burn. The plasma gelsolin concentrations were significantly lower among patients with sepsis than those without (P<0.001), and were lower among those who died after sepsis than those who survived (P<0.001). Logistic regression suggested that plasma gelsolin level was inversely associated with the occurrence of sepsis [OR 0.873 (95%CI 0.693-0.993)] and survival after sepsis [OR 0.939 (95%CI 0.859-0.992)].

Discussion: Plasma gelsolin levels decrease after burn. The level is significantly lower among those with large burns and those with combined sepsis. Plasma gelsolin levels can be used to predict the prognosis of burn patients.

Keywords: Burn; Plasma gelsolin levels; Prognosis; Sepsis.