Özkul YILMAZ ÇOLAK, Melda İŞEVİ, Tuğçehan SEZER AKMAN, Neslihan ÜNAL AKDEMİR, Fatma ÜLGER
Türk Yoğun Bakım Dergisi - 2026;24(3):173-182
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the independent effect of obesity on C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin levels in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with sepsis. Methods: This retrospective, single-center observational study included adult patients admitted to the ICU with a diagnosis of sepsis or who developed sepsis during ICU follow-up between January and December 2025. Patients were classified as non-obese (BMI <30 kg/m²) or obese (BMI >=30 kg/m²). CRP, procalcitonin, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were recorded at the time of sepsis diagnosis. Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests were used for group comparisons; the independent effect of obesity was assessed by multivariable regression analysis. Results: A total of 359 sepsis patients were included; 81 (22.6%) were obese. No significant differences were observed between groups in terms of age, SOFA score, or Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Although CRP and procalcitonin levels showed a trend toward higher values in the obese group, no statistically significant difference was detected (p=0.135 and p=0.260, respectively). In multivariable analysis, obesity was not independently associated with CRP (exp beta 1.16; 95% CI 0.86-1.56; p=0.321) or procalcitonin (exp beta 1.49; 95% CI 0.88-2.51; p=0.136) levels. ICU mortality was similar between groups (63.0% vs. 68.3%; p=0.439). Conclusion: No independent effect of obesity on CRP and procalcitonin levels was demonstrated at the time of sepsis diagnosis. Clinical context and concomitant metabolic conditions should be taken into account when interpreting inflammatory biomarkers in obese patients with sepsis.
