Introduction:

Obesity is a mortality protector factor in sepsis; this phenomenon is known as «obesity paradox». Furthermore, obesity is a chronic inflammatory state in which adaptive and innate immunity mediators play key roles. Lymphopenia is an adaptive immunity marker and it has been related to poor outcomes and greater mortality.

Objective:

To determine the relationship between body mass index and lymphocyte count and its association with the survival of septic patients.

Methods and materials:

A cohort retrospective study of patients older than 18 years old with sepsis, septic shock and no history of autoimmune diseases nor immunosuppressor treatments. Outcomes included determining BMI and lymphopenia.

Results:

206 patients were included, 8.7% with low weight, 46.6% with normal weight, 24.8% with normal weight, 19.9% with obesity. The group with the lowest BMI (median of 21.37) and lymphopenia was associated with the greatest mortality. The survival analysis revealed that a BMI lower than 22.5 and lymphopenia are independent risk factors for mortality.

Conclusions:

Obesity is associated to a higher lymphocyte count and a greater survival in sepsis and septic shock. Since BMI and lymphocyte count are statistically significant independent risk factors for mortality, we propose an APACHE II score adjusted to these variables.

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