Fibulin2 is a good diagnostic and prognostic indicator for sepsis.

BACKGROUND

Sepsis is a life-threatening syndrome characterized by multiple organ dysfunction resulting from a maladjusted host response to infection. It remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Early intervention for sepsis improves clinical outcomes. This study aimed to develop a diagnostic and prognostic indicator at the onset of sepsis.

METHODS

From January 2021 to December 2023, patients in the emergency department (ED) were evaluated for the use of Fibulin2 as a diagnostic and prognostic indicator for sepsis. The levels of Fibulin2 in plasma were detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to assess the performance of Fibulin2 for predicting sepsis.

RESULTS

The level of serum Fibulin2 was significantly higher in patients with sepsis than in controls, and Fibulin2 had diagnostic value for sepsis and performed better than C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), the white blood cell count (WBC), the neutrophil ratio (NEU%), and D-dimer. Overall, Fibulin2 was upregulated in patients with septic shock compared with septic patients without shock, and Fibulin2 can be used to diagnose septic shock. Moreover, Fibulin2 was increased in patients who died at 28 days of sepsis and had the potential to predict 28-day mortality.

CONCLUSION

Fibulin2 may serve as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for sepsis in the ED.