Sepsis patients with complication of hypoglycemia and hypoalbuminemia are an early and easy identification of high mortality risk

Either hypoglycemia or hypoalbuminemia alone is an independent condition associated with increased risk of mortality in critical illness. This study evaluates whether the mortality risk increases in septic patients if these conditions are combined. Patients admitted to our hospital from 2008 to 2015 who satisfied the definition of sepsis were targeted (n = 336). We classified cases into three groups based on blood glucose (BG) level measured at admission: hypoglycemia (Hypo-G; BG < 80 mg/dl), intermediate glycemia (Inter-G; 80–199 mg/dl), and hyperglycemia (Hyper-G; ≥ 200 mg/dl) group, and then estimated mortality. We also compared the clinical data of these glycemic groups in combination with hypoalbuminemia (Hypo-A) or Inter-G with non-hypoalbuminemia (Inter-G + Nonhypo-A), as a secondary analysis. Diagnostic cut-off level of Hypo-A (< 2.8 mg/dl) was determined using the ROC curve between blood albumin and mortality. In Hypo-G group (n = 40), APACHE II/SOFA scores are significantly higher than in the Inter-G (n = 196) and Hyper-G groups (n = 100). Mortality is 52.5% in the Hypo-G and 60.0% in the Hypo-G with Hypo-A (Hypo-G + Hypo-A) groups. Significantly higher APACHE II or SOFA scores and mortality are observed in the Hypo-G + Hypo-A group compared to the Inter-G + Nonhypo-A group. A higher mortality risk is observed in cases with Hypo-G + Hypo-A (OR 5.065) than those with Hypo-G (OR 3.503), Inter-G (OR 1.175), Hyper-G (OR 1.756) or Hypo-A (OR 3.243), calculated by a single logistic-regression analysis. Hypo-G + Hypo-A in patients with sepsis is related to higher ICU mortality. Physicians should be keenly aware of these conditions to provide immediate intensive treatment after admission of septic patients.