2-4 Study measurements
Demographic data, the severity of the condition, inflammatory factors and blood chemistry were assessed for all patients. The severity of the condition was assessed using the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) scoring system, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) Scoring system and the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II. The levels of inflammatory factors were evaluated by measuring hs-CRP and TNF-α using Elisa tests. Nutritional status was assessed using the nutrition risk in critically ill (NUTRIC) score and by measuring BMI, mid-arm circumference. Lipid profile, including triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, fasting blood sugar (FBS) were also measured. Furthermore, liver function test, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total and direct bilirubin were also assessed for each patient. Kidney function tests, including blood urea and creatinine, were also assessed.