Diagnostic value of serum neuron-specific enolase and S100 calcium-binding protein B for sepsis-associated encephalopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Zhang Li, Shuyu Zhong, Minjing Chen et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed whether serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) distinguish sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) from sepsis without SAE. Eight studies included 722 participants: 323 with SAE and 399 with sepsis without SAE. Both biomarkers were significantly higher in the SAE groups. The pooled standardized mean difference was 0.82 for NSE (95% CI: 0.66-0.97, P < 0.001, I 2 = 0.0%) and 0.94 for S100B (95% CI: 0.77-1.11, P < 0.001, I 2 = 0.0%).
Key findings
- NSE was higher in SAE than in sepsis without SAE, with a pooled SMD of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.66-0.97, P < 0.001, I 2 = 0.0%).
- S100B was higher in SAE than in sepsis without SAE, with a pooled SMD of 0.94 (95% CI: 0.77-1.11, P < 0.001, I 2 = 0.0%).
- The review included eight studies and 722 participants: 323 with SAE and 399 with sepsis without SAE.
Why it matters
SAE is a serious complication of sepsis, and the review addresses the limited availability of reliable diagnostic biomarkers. The consistent elevation of NSE and S100B across the included studies supports further consideration of these markers as aids to identifying encephalopathy in patients with sepsis, while the findings do not establish their performance as standalone diagnostic tests.