COMPARATIVE STUDY OF LRINEC SCORE: PROCALCITONIN AND LRINEC SCORE: C-REACTIVE PROTEIN IN PREDICTING DURATION OF HOSPITAL STAY AND SEVERITY IN NECROTISING FASCIITIS.

Corresponding Author:
Manoj Gowda Avalahalli,
#65 Avalahalli S. N. Halli,
Post Yelahanka Hobli,
Bangalore-560064.
E-mail: manoj.gowda1@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC score) is a simple laboratory tool used to distinguish between Necrotizing Soft-Tissue Infections (NSTI) and other soft-tissue infections. A LRINEC score of ≥6 is considered as denoting a high risk of necrotizing fasciitis. A very high LRINEC score might also be associated with mortality and other outcomes of patients with NSTI.

METHODS

A review of the medical charts of patients was carried out in a tertiary academic Centre. All adult patients with necrotizing soft-tissue infections from 2010 to 2011 were selected and LRINEC scores were calculated for each patient. The enrolled patients had sufficient information to determine the LRINEC score. Serum Procalcitonin (PCT) was used in place of serum C-Reactive Protein (CRP) to improve the efficacy of LRINEC score. Serum PCT was considered positive if the value was >0.56 ng/mL. LRINEC score-PCT and LRINEC score-CRP were compared in predicting duration of hospital stay and severity.

RESULTS

In this study of 50 patients 64% of them were males, majority of the patients were between the age group of 40-80 years. LRINEC score PCT had better predictability for severity and duration of hospital stay when compared to LRINEC score with CRP. Pearson correlation of LRINEC score PCT vs LRINEC score, CRP was statistically significant with LRINEC score, PCT having 30% of patients with longer duration of hospital stay in comparison to LRINEC score CRP which had 12%.

CONCLUSION

LRINEC score: PCT had better probability in predicting severity and duration of hospital stay when compared to LRINEC score: CRP.

KEYWORDS

Necrotizing Soft-Tissue Infection; LRINEC Score; CRP; PCT; Duration of Stay and Severity.