title: Predictive factors of hospital stay in patients with odontogenic maxillofacial infections: the role of C-reactive protein.
abstract: To investigate whether clinical or laboratory variables on admission of patients with odontogenic infections are associated with a severe clinical course and a prolonged hospital stay, we hypothesised that specific factors such as the serum concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) may act as predictors of the duration of stay. We designed a prospective patient-oriented study that included all those treated for maxillofacial infections of odontogenic origin in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Northampton General Hospital between November 2013 and December 2014. A total of 71 were enrolled. We found that the concentration of CRP was a significant predictor of hospital stay (p=0.01). Its measurement on admission can predict the likely duration of stay of these patients and enable beds to be managed more efficiently.
authors.affiliation: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Virtual Academic Unit, Northampton General Hospital, UK. Electronic address: pan_stath@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stathopoulos
authors.affiliation: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Igoumenakis
authors.affiliation: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Virtual Academic Unit, Northampton General Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shuttleworth
authors.affiliation: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Virtual Academic Unit, Northampton, UK.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Virtual Academic Unit, Northampton, UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ameerally
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005491:Focal Infection, Dental / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: C-reactive protein; hospital stay; maxillofacial infections; odontogenic