Neopterin as a prognostic biomarker in intensive care unit patients

Purpose: The present study was undertaken to evaluate urinary neopterin in intensive care unit patients. Materials and Methods: Urinary neopterin levels were determined in systemic inflammatory response syndrome (n = 10), sepsis (n = 18), septic shock (n = 9), and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (n = 5). It was tested whether neopterin is a differential parameter among the patient groups. Furthermore, the results were also evaluated by comparing with a healthy control group (n = 30), and the relationship between neopterin and mortality or Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores were investigated. Results: Neopterin levels of the control group and patients were detected as 111 +/- 11 and 3850 +/- 1081 mu mol/mol creatinine, respectively (P < .05). It was significantly increased in the sepsis and septic shock groups compared to the systemic inflammatory response syndrome group (P < .05). Neopterin levels were significantly higher in the patients with mortality and lower Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores. Conclusion: This study showed that monitoring of urinary neopterin profile can be used in intensive care units to show the degree and prognosis of the disease. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.