Evaluation of heparin binding protein as a prognostic biomarker for diagnosis of sepsis at tertiary care hospital, North India

Background: Sepsis is a critical condition characterized by systemic inflammation in response to infection, often leading to organ dysfunction and mortality. Heparin-binding protein (HBP) has emerged as a potential biomarker for early sepsis detection due to its rapid release and association with inflammatory processes. This study aimed to evaluate HBP as a prognostic biomarker for diagnosing sepsis, assessing its correlation with demographic characteristics, infection status, organ dysfunction, and biochemical parameters. Methods: A prospective analytical study was conducted at G.S.V.M. Medical College, Kanpur, from December 2022 to May 2024, involving 113 patients over 18 years old suspected of sepsis. Clinical data, including demographics, infection status, organ dysfunction, and HBP levels, were collected and analyzed using statistical methods. Results: The study cohort exhibited a mean age of 53.2±19.3 years, with balanced gender representation (49.6% male, 50.4% female) and varied infection statuses (47.8% confirmed infections, 17.7% probable, and 9.7% viral). Organ dysfunction prevalence increased from 30.1% on admission to 43.4% within 72 hours. HBP levels decreased significantly from baseline (11.28 ng/ml) to 72 hours (5.68 ng/ml), showing potential for monitoring disease progression. Significant differences in baseline HBP levels among patient groups were observed (p≤0.001). Conclusions: The study concludes that HBP is a promising biomarker for distinguishing infection statuses, aiding in sepsis diagnosis, with significant differences observed in HBP levels across diagnostic categories, enhancing early detection and targeted treatment.