Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis 'Yang-Xu Zheng': Significant Prognostic Predictor for Patients with Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock

Pathogenesis of sepsis includes complex interaction between pathogen activities and host response, manifesting highly variable signs and symptoms, possibly delaying diagnosis and timely life-saving interventions. This study applies traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)Zhengdiagnosis in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock to evaluate its adaptability and use as an early predictor of sepsis mortality. Three-year prospective observational study enrolled 126 septic patients. TCMZhengdiagnosis, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, and blood samples for host response cytokines measurement (tumor necrosis factor-α, Interleukin-6, Interleukin-8, Interleukin-10, Interleukin-18) were collected within 24 hours after admission to Intensive Care Unit. Main outcome was 28-day mortality; multivariate logistic regression analysis served to determine predictive variables of the sepsis mortality. APACHE II score, frequency ofNutrient-phase heat, andQi-XuandYang-Xu Zhengswere significantly higher in nonsurvivors. The multivariate logistic regression analysis identifiedYang-Xu Zhengas the outcome predictor. APACHE II score and levels of five host response cytokines between patients with and withoutYang-Xu Zhengrevealed significant differences. Furthermore, cool extremities and weak pulse, both diagnostic signs ofYang-Xu Zheng, were also proven independent predictors of sepsis mortality. TCM diagnosis “Yang-Xu Zheng” may provide a new mortality predictor for septic patients.