Laboratory risk indicator for necrotizing fasciitis score and the outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Laboratory risk indicator for necrotizing fasciitis (LRINEC score) is a simple laboratory tool used to distinguish between necrotizing soft-tissue infections (NSTI) and other soft-tissue infections. A LRINEC score of > or =6 is considered as denoting a high risk of necrotizing fasciitis. A certain LRINEC score might also be associated with mortality and other outcomes of patients with NSTI.

METHODS: A review of the medical charts of patients was carried out. The study sites were one tertiary academic centre and one community, university-affiliated hospital. All adult patients with necrotizing soft-tissue infections from 2002 to 2005 were selected then LRINEC scores were calculated for each patient. We enrolled patients where there was sufficient information to determine that the LRINEC score was either <6 or > or =6.

RESULTS: A total of two hundred and nine patients were enrolled and analysed. The overall mortality rate was 33 of 209 (15.8%) and amputation rate was 55 of 209 (26.3%). The amputation rates were defined as numbers of patients who received amputation divided by numbers of total patients. Enrolled patients were divided into two groups. Group I was those whose LRINEC score was <6 and group II was those whose LRINEC score was > or =6. Significant differences in mortality rate (P = 0.04) and amputation rate (P = 0.002) were noted between two groups.

CONCLUSION: The LRINEC score is associated with the outcomes of patients with NSTI. Patients with a LRINEC score of > or =6 have a higher rate of both mortality and amputation.