Comparative Study between Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) versus C - Reactive Protein for Detection of Acute Kidney Injury in Sepsis at Intensive Care Unit

Background: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), a protein associated with neutrophil gelatinase, shows potential as a new biomarker that can indicate the severity and outcome of acute kidney injury (AKI). Yet, it is uncertain whether it can be used to predict the prognosis of AKI in the early stages of sepsis in patients. Aim: Estimating the diagnostic accuracy of plasma Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin and C-reactive protein as markers in an adult general intensive care unit for early detection of acute kidney injury in sepsis. Subject and Methods: This study included 60 adult patients admitted at intensive care unit and diagnosed with sepsis. Patients were observed for 14 days for the development of AKI. CRP and NGAL were analyzed for their diagnostic accuracies. Results: Forty-two patients (70%) developed AKI. The mean CRP level in septic patients was 258 ± 117 mg/L. The mean NGAL level in septic patients was 85.25 ± 35.94 pg/ml with a range from 20 pg/ml to 162 pg/ml. Most patients had Acute kidney injury. In univariate analysis, serum urea, creatinine, creatinine clearance, CRP and NGAL were significantly associated with AKI. Factors significant in the univariate analysis were adjusted in the multivariate model. Conclusion: Both NGAL and CRP were considered as potential makers in predicting AKI in critically ill patients with sepsis.