Correlation between hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet score and short-term mortality in critically ill patients.

Abstract

Background: Hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte and platelet (HALP) score is derived from the counts of hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocytes, and platelets. It serves as a valuable tool for assessing both inflammation and nutritional status in critically ill patients. However, there hasn't been a specific study exploring the role of the HALP score in critically ill patients. Additionally, whether the HALP score exhibits an incremental effect on the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score remains unknown.

Methods: In this study, we used the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC-IV) version 2.2 database to evaluate the predictive value of HALP score for critically ill patients. The primary outcome investigated was intensive care unit (ICU) death, and the secondary outcomes included in-hospital mortality, ICU length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, and 28-day mortality.

Results: We analyzed 20,083 critically ill patients. In logistic regression, a low HALP score (HALP score < 3.56) showed higher risk of ICU death (adjusted odds ratio: 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25 to 1.59). Additionally, the HALP score improved the predictive ability of the SOFA score (∆Area under curve: 0.009, p < 0.001). In Cox proportional hazards models, a low HALP score (HALP score < 3.2) was also associated with a higher risk of 28-day mortality (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.33 to 1.74).

Conclusion: HALP score is associated with short-term mortality. Additionally, HALP score showed an incremental effect on SOFA score in predicting short-term mortality.