Abstract
Background Sepsis poses a significant threat in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU), with high morbidity and mortality rates. Accurate prognostic tools are essential for guiding patient management. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of Neutrophil–Lymphocyte Ratio with Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation IV (APACHE IV) in predicting sepsis outcomes. A prospective cross-sectional design will enrol septic MICU patients, collecting baseline data and scoring systems. Patient outcomes, including mortality and length of MICU stay, will be analyzed using correlation and ROC curve analyses. This study addresses the current gap in direct comparisons of these tools. Results The results of this study are anticipated to reveal significant correlations between the Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio combined with SOFA and APACHE IV scores and patient outcomes. Specifically, we expected to observe strong associations between the combined scoring system and mortality rates, length of MICU stay, and the need for organ support. Furthermore, we anticipate that the Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio combined with SOFA will demonstrate higher predictive accuracy than APACHE IV to assess prognosis in sepsis patients admitted to the MICU. Conclusion Based on the results obtained from this prospective cross-sectional study, we can draw conclusions regarding the comparative effectiveness of NLR (Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio) combined with SOFA and APACHE IV in assessing the prognosis of sepsis in the MICU. We anticipate that the combined scoring system will provide a more accurate prognostic assessment and enable healthcare professionals to make well-informed choices regarding patient care and the distribution of resources. These findings will contribute to building evidence on sepsis and may have implications for improving patient outcomes in the MICU setting.