Frequency of Thrombocytopenia and ICU Mortality in Patients with Sepsis

Hamza  Aftab; Atif  Beg; Kanwal  Mazhar

doi:10.54112/bcsrj.v6i5.1726

Authors

Hamza Aftab Department of Medicine, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission General Hospital Islamabad, Pakistan
Atif Beg Department of Medicine, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission General Hospital Islamabad, Pakistan
Kanwal Mazhar University of Management and Technology Lahore, School of Pharmacy, Lahore

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54112/bcsrj.v6i5.1726

Keywords:

ICU Mortality, Platelet Count, Prognostic Marker, Sepsis, Septic Patients, Thrombocytopenia. Trend Analysis

Abstract

Thrombocytopenia is a common hematological abnormality in sepsis and may serve as a predictor of adverse outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to determine the frequency of thrombocytopenia in septic patients and assess its association with ICU mortality. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Medicine, PAEC General Hospital, Islamabad from October 2024 till March 2025. A total of 90 septic patients admitted to the ICU were enrolled using a non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Platelet counts were recorded on admission and on day 7. Thrombocytopenia was defined as a platelet count <150,000/µL. Mortality during the ICU stay was recorded. Results: The mean age of patients was 54.3 ± 12.7 years, with 55.6% males. Thrombocytopenia was present in 36 patients (40%). Overall ICU mortality was 31.1%, with a significantly higher mortality rate in thrombocytopenic patients (47.2%) compared to non-thrombocytopenic patients (20.4%) (p = 0.007). A downward trend in platelet count from admission to day 7 was observed. Stratified analysis showed significantly higher mortality in patients aged ≥60 years (p = 0.041), while diabetes mellitus and chronic hepatitis C did not significantly affect mortality. Conclusion: It is concluded that thrombocytopenia is significantly associated with increased ICU mortality in septic patients and may serve as a reliable prognostic marker. Monitoring platelet trends during ICU stay can assist in early identification of high-risk patients and guide clinical management.

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