The clinical significance of thrombocytopenia in sepsis and septic shock: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Thrombocytopenia (TCP) is a common finding in critically ill patients that has been linked to a worse prognosis. Specifically, sepsis is a major risk factor for TCP. Several observational studies have examined the prognostic role of TCP and its correlation with clinical outcomes...

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Main Authors: Basel F. Alqeeq, Mohammed Ayyad, Maram Albandak, Waseem J. Almadhoun, Mahmoud Kullab, Ahmed W. Ghabayen, Mohammed Al-Tawil
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Anesthesiology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12871-025-03188-7
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author Basel F. Alqeeq
Mohammed Ayyad
Maram Albandak
Waseem J. Almadhoun
Mahmoud Kullab
Ahmed W. Ghabayen
Mohammed Al-Tawil
author_facet Basel F. Alqeeq
Mohammed Ayyad
Maram Albandak
Waseem J. Almadhoun
Mahmoud Kullab
Ahmed W. Ghabayen
Mohammed Al-Tawil
author_sort Basel F. Alqeeq
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Thrombocytopenia (TCP) is a common finding in critically ill patients that has been linked to a worse prognosis. Specifically, sepsis is a major risk factor for TCP. Several observational studies have examined the prognostic role of TCP and its correlation with clinical outcomes in patients with sepsis. Methods We conducted a systematic search through Medline, Scopus and CENTRAL, from inception until June 2024, in order to identify studies that discussed the effects of TCP on clinical outcomes in patients with sepsis or septic shock. This review was performed in accordance with the Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. Study endpoints were ICU mortality, 28-day mortality, major bleeding and mechanical ventilation. Results We included twelve studies enrolling 14,093 patients in this meta-analysis. TCP was diagnosed at intensive care unit (ICU) admission in 5481 (39%) patients; on the other hand, it was encountered during the course of ICU stay in 1474 (10%) cases. Patients with TCP had significantly higher risks of ICU mortality (Odds Ratio: 1.93, 95% CI [1.6–2.33]; p < 0.01). and 28-day mortality (odds ratio: 1.98, 95% CI [1.67, 2.35]; p < 0.00001). Furthermore, patients with severe TCP (platelet count < 50 * 109/L) had even higher odds of ICU mortality (odds ratio: 3.38, 95% CI [2.25, 5.08]; p < 0.00001). Major bleeding events were significantly more frequent in patients with TCP (odds ratio: 3.26, 95% CI [2.26, 4.72]; p < 0.01). Conclusion TCP exhibits significant clinical implications in critically ill patients admitted with sepsis and is associated with enhanced mortality and worse clinical outcomes. Nonetheless, this meta-analysis quantifies the significant association between TCP and poor clinical outcomes in patients with sepsis and septic shock.
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spelling doaj-art-bb32bbe413b5431bb481d572d9c945312025-08-20T03:37:41ZengBMCBMC Anesthesiology1471-22532025-07-0125111210.1186/s12871-025-03188-7The clinical significance of thrombocytopenia in sepsis and septic shock: a systematic review and meta-analysisBasel F. Alqeeq0Mohammed Ayyad1Maram Albandak2Waseem J. Almadhoun3Mahmoud Kullab4Ahmed W. Ghabayen5Mohammed Al-Tawil6Faculty of Medicine, Islamic University of GazaDepartment of Internal Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical SchoolDepartment of Internal Medicine, University of ToledoFaculty of Medicine, Islamic University of GazaFaculty of Medicine, Al-Quds UniversityFaculty of Medicine, Al-Quds UniversityFaculty of Medicine, Al-Quds UniversityAbstract Background Thrombocytopenia (TCP) is a common finding in critically ill patients that has been linked to a worse prognosis. Specifically, sepsis is a major risk factor for TCP. Several observational studies have examined the prognostic role of TCP and its correlation with clinical outcomes in patients with sepsis. Methods We conducted a systematic search through Medline, Scopus and CENTRAL, from inception until June 2024, in order to identify studies that discussed the effects of TCP on clinical outcomes in patients with sepsis or septic shock. This review was performed in accordance with the Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. Study endpoints were ICU mortality, 28-day mortality, major bleeding and mechanical ventilation. Results We included twelve studies enrolling 14,093 patients in this meta-analysis. TCP was diagnosed at intensive care unit (ICU) admission in 5481 (39%) patients; on the other hand, it was encountered during the course of ICU stay in 1474 (10%) cases. Patients with TCP had significantly higher risks of ICU mortality (Odds Ratio: 1.93, 95% CI [1.6–2.33]; p < 0.01). and 28-day mortality (odds ratio: 1.98, 95% CI [1.67, 2.35]; p < 0.00001). Furthermore, patients with severe TCP (platelet count < 50 * 109/L) had even higher odds of ICU mortality (odds ratio: 3.38, 95% CI [2.25, 5.08]; p < 0.00001). Major bleeding events were significantly more frequent in patients with TCP (odds ratio: 3.26, 95% CI [2.26, 4.72]; p < 0.01). Conclusion TCP exhibits significant clinical implications in critically ill patients admitted with sepsis and is associated with enhanced mortality and worse clinical outcomes. Nonetheless, this meta-analysis quantifies the significant association between TCP and poor clinical outcomes in patients with sepsis and septic shock.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12871-025-03188-7TCPPlateletsIntensive care unitSepsisSeptic shock
spellingShingle Basel F. Alqeeq
Mohammed Ayyad
Maram Albandak
Waseem J. Almadhoun
Mahmoud Kullab
Ahmed W. Ghabayen
Mohammed Al-Tawil
The clinical significance of thrombocytopenia in sepsis and septic shock: a systematic review and meta-analysis
BMC Anesthesiology
TCP
Platelets
Intensive care unit
Sepsis
Septic shock
title The clinical significance of thrombocytopenia in sepsis and septic shock: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full The clinical significance of thrombocytopenia in sepsis and septic shock: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr The clinical significance of thrombocytopenia in sepsis and septic shock: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed The clinical significance of thrombocytopenia in sepsis and septic shock: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short The clinical significance of thrombocytopenia in sepsis and septic shock: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort clinical significance of thrombocytopenia in sepsis and septic shock a systematic review and meta analysis
topic TCP
Platelets
Intensive care unit
Sepsis
Septic shock
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12871-025-03188-7
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