The Predictive Value of Heparin-Binding Protein for Bacterial Infections in Patients with Severe Multiple Trauma

Abstract Introduction: Heparin-binding protein is an inflammatory factor with predictive value and participates in the inflammatory response through antibacterial effects, chemotaxis, and increased vascular permeability. The role of heparin-binding protein in sepsis has been progressively demonstrated, but few studies have been conducted in the context of multiple trauma combined with bacterial infections. This study aims to investigate the predictive value of heparin-binding protein for bacterial infections in patients with severe multiple trauma. Materials and methods: Patients with multiple trauma in the emergency intensive care unit were selected for the study, and plasma heparin-binding protein concentrations and other laboratory parameters were measured within 48 hours of admission to the hospital. A two-sample comparison and univariate logistic regression analysis were used to investigate the relationship between heparin-binding protein and bacterial infection in multiple trauma patients. A multifactor logistic regression model was constructed, and the ROC curve was plotted. Results: Ninety-seven patients with multiple-trauma were included in the study, 43 with bacterial infection and 54 without infection. According to data analysis, heparin-binding protein was higher in the infected group than in the control group [(32.00±3.20) ng/mL vs. (18.52±1.33) ng/mL]. Univariate logistic regression analysis shows that heparin-binding protein is related to bacterial infection (OR=1.10, Z=3.91, 95%CI:1.05~1.15, P=0.001). Multivariate logistic regression equations showed that patients were 1.12 times more likely to have bacterial infections for each value of heparin-binding protein increase, holding neutrophils and PCT constant. ROC analysis shows that heparin-binding protein combined with neutrophils and PCT has better predictive value for bacterial infection [AUC=0.935, 95%CI:0.870~0.977]. Conclusions: Heparin-binding protein may predict bacterial infection in patients with severe multiple trauma. Combining heparin-binding protein, PCT, and neutrophils may improve bacterial infection prediction.### Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.### Funding StatementThe author(s) received no specific funding for this work.### Author DeclarationsI confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.YesThe details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University [2021 Lun Review Words (K-K115)]I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals.YesI understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).YesI have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable.YesThis text is appropriate if the data are owned by a third party and authors do not have permission to share the data.