Non-linear association between lactate and 28 days mortality in elderly patients with sepsis across different SOFA score groups: results from the eICU Collaborative Research Database

PurposeThis study aimed to examine the correlation between lactate levels and 28 days mortality in elderly sepsis patients across different Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score groups following ICU admission.MethodsA multi-center retrospective cohort study utilized data from the eICU Col...

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Main Authors: Lanlang Zhang, Huiwen Liu, Dan Zhang, Youyou Deng, Xinglin Chen, Luyang Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1605319/full
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author Lanlang Zhang
Huiwen Liu
Dan Zhang
Youyou Deng
Xinglin Chen
Luyang Zhang
author_facet Lanlang Zhang
Huiwen Liu
Dan Zhang
Youyou Deng
Xinglin Chen
Luyang Zhang
author_sort Lanlang Zhang
collection DOAJ
description PurposeThis study aimed to examine the correlation between lactate levels and 28 days mortality in elderly sepsis patients across different Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score groups following ICU admission.MethodsA multi-center retrospective cohort study utilized data from the eICU Collaborative Research Database, encompassing elderly sepsis patients from 208 ICUs across the United States during 2014–2015. Lactate levels and SOFA scores at admission were collected, with a focus on 28 days mortality post-ICU admission. A two-piece-wise linear regression model was developed to assess the threshold effects of lactate on outcomes and its variation across SOFA score categories. Smooth curve fitting was utilized.ResultsOf the 5,150 patients with a median age of 76 years, 711 (13.8%) died within 28 days of ICU admission. A positive correlation was noted between lactate levels and mortality when lactate was < 3.7 mmol/l, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.33 (95% CI: 1.17–1.51, P < 0.0001) for each increment in lactate. For lactate levels ≥ 3.7 mmol/L, mortality increased with an adjusted OR of 1.11 (95% CI: 1.05–1.18, P = 0.0003) for each increment in lactate. Moreover, mortality was low and rose gradually with increasing lactate levels in the SOFA score ≤ 5 group. Conversely, in the SOFA score > 5 group, mortality increased significantly, particularly when lactate levels exceeded 5 mmol/L.ConclusionThis study reveals a non-linear positive relationship between lactate and 28 days mortality among elderly sepsis patients. Furthermore, stratification by SOFA score demonstrated that patients with higher scores exhibited a heightened risk of mortality as lactate levels increased.
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spelling doaj-art-babec7320f7d4921af05ff2d309eac0c2025-08-20T03:28:50ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Medicine2296-858X2025-07-011210.3389/fmed.2025.16053191605319Non-linear association between lactate and 28 days mortality in elderly patients with sepsis across different SOFA score groups: results from the eICU Collaborative Research DatabaseLanlang Zhang0Huiwen Liu1Dan Zhang2Youyou Deng3Xinglin Chen4Luyang Zhang5Department of Hemodialysis, Fuyong People’s Hospital of Baoan District, Shenzhen, ChinaDepartment of Hemodialysis, Fuyong People’s Hospital of Baoan District, Shenzhen, ChinaDepartment of Hemodialysis, Fuyong People’s Hospital of Baoan District, Shenzhen, ChinaDepartment of Hemodialysis, Fuyong People’s Hospital of Baoan District, Shenzhen, ChinaDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Empower U, X&Y Solutions Inc., Boston, MA, United StatesDepartment of Hematology and Oncology, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, ChinaPurposeThis study aimed to examine the correlation between lactate levels and 28 days mortality in elderly sepsis patients across different Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score groups following ICU admission.MethodsA multi-center retrospective cohort study utilized data from the eICU Collaborative Research Database, encompassing elderly sepsis patients from 208 ICUs across the United States during 2014–2015. Lactate levels and SOFA scores at admission were collected, with a focus on 28 days mortality post-ICU admission. A two-piece-wise linear regression model was developed to assess the threshold effects of lactate on outcomes and its variation across SOFA score categories. Smooth curve fitting was utilized.ResultsOf the 5,150 patients with a median age of 76 years, 711 (13.8%) died within 28 days of ICU admission. A positive correlation was noted between lactate levels and mortality when lactate was < 3.7 mmol/l, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.33 (95% CI: 1.17–1.51, P < 0.0001) for each increment in lactate. For lactate levels ≥ 3.7 mmol/L, mortality increased with an adjusted OR of 1.11 (95% CI: 1.05–1.18, P = 0.0003) for each increment in lactate. Moreover, mortality was low and rose gradually with increasing lactate levels in the SOFA score ≤ 5 group. Conversely, in the SOFA score > 5 group, mortality increased significantly, particularly when lactate levels exceeded 5 mmol/L.ConclusionThis study reveals a non-linear positive relationship between lactate and 28 days mortality among elderly sepsis patients. Furthermore, stratification by SOFA score demonstrated that patients with higher scores exhibited a heightened risk of mortality as lactate levels increased.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1605319/fulllactatemortalityelderlysepsisSOFA score
spellingShingle Lanlang Zhang
Huiwen Liu
Dan Zhang
Youyou Deng
Xinglin Chen
Luyang Zhang
Non-linear association between lactate and 28 days mortality in elderly patients with sepsis across different SOFA score groups: results from the eICU Collaborative Research Database
Frontiers in Medicine
lactate
mortality
elderly
sepsis
SOFA score
title Non-linear association between lactate and 28 days mortality in elderly patients with sepsis across different SOFA score groups: results from the eICU Collaborative Research Database
title_full Non-linear association between lactate and 28 days mortality in elderly patients with sepsis across different SOFA score groups: results from the eICU Collaborative Research Database
title_fullStr Non-linear association between lactate and 28 days mortality in elderly patients with sepsis across different SOFA score groups: results from the eICU Collaborative Research Database
title_full_unstemmed Non-linear association between lactate and 28 days mortality in elderly patients with sepsis across different SOFA score groups: results from the eICU Collaborative Research Database
title_short Non-linear association between lactate and 28 days mortality in elderly patients with sepsis across different SOFA score groups: results from the eICU Collaborative Research Database
title_sort non linear association between lactate and 28 days mortality in elderly patients with sepsis across different sofa score groups results from the eicu collaborative research database
topic lactate
mortality
elderly
sepsis
SOFA score
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1605319/full
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