A Retrospective Study on Blood Urea Nitrogen to Albumin Ratio in Patients with Sepsis

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Sepsis is a severe, life-threatening condition characterized by systemic inflammation and multiorgan dysfunction. Identifying reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis is crucial for improving patient outcomes. The Blood Urea Nitrogen to Albumin Ratio (BUN/Alb) has emerged as a potential indicator of sepsis severity. This study aims to evaluate the BUN/Alb ratio's utility in predicting outcomes in septic patients in Bengaluru, India.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective study involving 200 sepsis patients admitted to a tertiary care
hospital in Bengaluru between January 2023 and December 2023. Data were collected from
electronic medical records, including BUN, albumin levels, and clinical outcomes. Statistical
analyses were performed to assess the correlation between BUN/Alb ratios and patient outcomes, including mortality and length of hospital stay.
RESULTS
The average BUN/Alb ratio in the study population was found to be significantly higher in
patients with severe sepsis compared to those with mild to moderate sepsis. A higher BUN/Alb ratio was associated with increased mortality and longer hospital stays. The ratio demonstrated predictive value for adverse outcomes, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.9.
CONCLUSION
The BUN/Alb ratio is a promising biomarker for assessing the severity of sepsis and predicting
patient outcomes. This study supports its utility in clinical practice, especially in resource-limited settings where sophisticated diagnostic tools may not be available. Further prospective studies are recommended to validate these findings and explore the ratio's potential for guiding treatment decisions.