Diagnostic values of glial fibrillary acidic protein, neuron-specific enolase and protein S100β for sepsis-associated encephalopathy

Abstract Background To investigate the expressions of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and protein S100β and their diagnostic values for sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). Methods One hundred patients with sepsis treated from August 2021 to August 2022 were included. They were assigned to a sepsis group (n=65) and an SAE group (n=35), while 50 healthy volunteers physically examined in the same period were enrolled as a control group. The levels of GFAP and NSE were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and that of S100β was determined by transmitted immunoturbidimetric assay. The expressions of GFAP, NSE and S100β in patients with SAE were detected, and their correlations and diagnostic values were analyzed. Results Compared to patients with mild and moderate SAE, those with severe SAE had higher levels of GFAP, NSE and S100β (P<0.05). The levels of GFAP, NSE and S100β were higher in coma patients than those with consciousness disturbance, and they were higher in patients with a poor prognosis than those with a good prognosis (P<0.05). Positive correlations were identified between GFAP and NSE (r=0.573, P=0.001), GFAP and S100β (r=0.468, P=0.005), and NSE and S100β (r=0.540, P=0.001) expression in patients with SAE. Compared with GFAP, NSE and S100β alone, their combination had higher sensitivity and lower specificity for diagnosing SAE (P<0.05). Conclusions There are correlations among GFAP, NSE and S100β, and the combined detection of these three indicators is highly valuable for the diagnosis of SAE.