Serum Levels of Cortisol, Immunoglobulin, and C-reactive Protein in Burn Patients.

Thermal injury is known to induce alterations in the immune system, but the precise mechanisms have yet to be elucidated. It has been shown that thermal injury in more than 20% of the total body surface area (TBSA) leads to disturbances in the cortisol metabolism and the equilibrium of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. We investigated the temporal relationship between serum cortisol levels, C-reactive protein, and immunoglobulin levels in the post-burn period. Twenty-one adult burn patients (mean age, 52 ± 17 yrs) were included in the study (TBSA, 10-80%); nine developed sepsis and five died. The nonseptic group consisted of twelve patients. Thirty healthy blood donors served as controls. Our results suggest that increased cortisol and decreased immunoglobulin levels could be related to severe sepsis and clinical outcome.