title: Neopterin as a prognostic biomarker in intensive care unit patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was undertaken to evaluate urinary neopterin in intensive care unit patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Urinary neopterin levels were determined in systemic inflammatory response syndrome (n = 10), sepsis (n = 18), septic shock (n = 9), and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (n = 5). It was tested whether neopterin is a differential parameter among the patient groups. Furthermore, the results were also evaluated by comparing with a healthy control group (n = 30), and the relationship between neopterin and mortality or Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Neopterin levels of the control group and patients were detected as 111 +/- 11 and 3850 +/- 1081 mumol/mol creatinine, respectively (P < .05). It was significantly increased in the sepsis and septic shock groups compared to the systemic inflammatory response syndrome group (P < .05). Neopterin levels were significantly higher in the patients with mortality and lower Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that monitoring of urinary neopterin profile can be used in intensive care units to show the degree and prognosis of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, 06100 Samanpazari, Ankara, Turkey. tbaydar@hacettepe.edu.tr
authors.forename: Terken
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Baydar
authors.forename: Osman
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yuksel
authors.forename: Tolga Tevfik
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Sahin
authors.forename: Kursat
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dikmen
authors.forename: Gozde
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Girgin
authors.forename: Hande
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sipahi
authors.forename: Osman
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kurukahvecioglu
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bostanci
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sare