Korean J Anesthesiol.  2003 Jun;44(6):S9-S13. 10.4097/kjae.2003.44.6.S9.

The Value of the Total Lymphocyte Count as a Risk Index of Hospital Infection in Critically Ill Patients

• Chang CH
• Byun CG
• Lee MW
• Jeong JY
• Shin CS

• KMID: 2239967
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2003.44.6.S9

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Lymphocytopenia is a common finding in critically ill patients while lymphocyte depletion in critically ill patients is presumed to have little clinical significance. However, a total lymphocyte count has been reported to provide prognostic information in surgical patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of a total lymphocyte count (TLC) with a prognostic criterion in critically ill patients.
METHODS
The patients were divided into three groups according to their TLC on admission to intensive care unit (ICU) (Group 1: TLC > 1.0 x 10(9)/L, Group 2: 0.7 x 10(9)/L < TLC < 1.0 x 10(9)/L, and Group 3: TLC <0.7 x 10(9)/L). Outcomes examined were patients' in-hospital mortality, length of hospital stay and incidence of infection.
RESULTS
Patients with a TLC less than 0.7 x 10(9)/L (Group 3) had an infection twice (32% VS 15%) as often as those with a TLC more than 0.7 109/L (Group 1 2). But, in the hospital stay and mortality, there was no significant difference among the groups.
CONCLUSIONS
TLC is very useful indicator in critically ill patients with a high risk of hospital infection on ICU admission.

Keyword

Critically ill patient; infection; mortality; total lymphocyte count

MeSH Terms

Critical Illness*
Cross Infection*
Hospital Mortality
Humans
Incidence
Intensive Care Units
Length of Stay
Lymphocyte Count*
Lymphocyte Depletion
Lymphopenia
Mortality