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

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition marked by an uncontrolled inflammatory response to infection, leading to organ dysfunction and high mortality. In India, severe sepsis burdens ICU resources and impacts patient outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate heparin-binding protein (HBP) as a prognostic biomarker for assessing sepsis severity. Methods: This prospective study was conducted at the department of medicine, G. S. V. M. medical college, Kanpur, from December 2022 to May 2024, including 113 adult patients suspected of sepsis or septic shock. Demographic data, HBP levels, and correlations with age, sex, disease severity, and other biomarkers C reactive protein (CRP and procalcitonin) were analyzed. Survival rates across different disease severities were also assessed. Results: The mean age of participants was 53.2±19.3 years. Baseline HBP levels were significantly higher in infection cases compared to non-infection cases (11.21±5.51 ng/ml vs. 4.31±3.72 ng/ml, p<0.001). HBP levels decreased significantly over 72 hours but remained elevated in non-survivors (9.81±6.25 ng/ml vs. 7.17±5.18 ng/ml, p=0.001). HBP was more effective than CRP and procalcitonin in predicting infection severity and outcomes. Conclusions: HBP is a promising biomarker for assessing sepsis severity and predicting survival. Elevated HBP levels correlate with increased infection severity and mortality. HBP offers an advantage in early diagnosis and prognosis, and further research is needed to optimize its use in sepsis management.