2-4 Study measurements
Demographic data, the severity of the condition, inflammatory factors
and blood chemistry were assessed for all patients. The severity of the
condition was assessed using the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health
Evaluation (APACHE II) scoring system, sequential organ failure
assessment (SOFA) Scoring system and the Simplified Acute Physiology
Score (SAPS) II. The levels of inflammatory factors were evaluated by
measuring hs-CRP and TNF-α using Elisa tests. Nutritional status was
assessed using the nutrition risk in critically ill (NUTRIC) score and
by measuring BMI, mid-arm circumference. Lipid profile, including
triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and
low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, fasting blood sugar (FBS)
were also measured. Furthermore, liver function test, including
aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT),
alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total and direct bilirubin were also
assessed for each patient. Kidney function tests, including blood urea
and creatinine, were also assessed.