Estradiol is associated with mortality in critically ill trauma and surgical patients.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Sexual dimorphism (variation in outcome related to sex) after trauma-hemorrhage and sepsis is well documented in animals, with the pro-estrus state being proinflammatory and associated with a survival advantage. Although some observational studies confirm this pattern in humans, others demonstrate no difference in mortality. Estrogens are important modulators of the inflammatory response and insulin resistance in humans and have been linked to increased mortality during sepsis. Our objective was to determine whether sex hormone levels were associated with outcomes in critically ill surgical patients.

Design

Prospective cohort.

Patients

A total of 301 adult critically ill or injured surgical patients remaining in the intensive care unit for > or = 48 hrs at t

SUBMITTER: May AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2654262 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature