The ratio of C-Reactive protein to Prealbumin to predict the mortality in patients with acute kidney injury

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with increased mortality of in hospital patients. Serum C reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein markedly increased within hours after infection or inflammation. The relation between inflammation and nutrition is complex. The serum chemistry marker ''prealbumin'' is recommended to assess the nutritional status. In this study, we assessed the CRP/Prealbumin ratio as a prognostic marker in patients with AKI. Methods: Case control study of 2 groups. Cases group was 50 adult patients with the diagnosis of AKI according to AKIN criteria of stage 3 admitted to the department of Critical Care Units. Control group was 50 healthy adult volunteers without any history of kidney disease. Both groups were subjected to measuring serum prealbumin level and C-reactive protein level at time of enrollment. Results: The mean value of CRP/Prealbumin ratio was 12.46 in non survivors while it was 1.45 in survivors (P value= <0.001). There were no any significant differences between the 2 groups in need for MV (p= .059) and RRT (p= .816). Conclusion: Higher serum CRP/prealbumin ratio might be strongly associated with higher mortality in AKI patients.