Serum leptin levels are higher but are not independently associated with severity or mortality in the multiple organ dysfunction/systemic inflammatory response syndrome: a matched case control and a longitudinal study

OBJECTIVE Hypercatabolism and immune dysfunction are closely associated with the development of systemic inflammatory response–multiple organ dysfunction (SIRS/MODS) in critical illness. It remains unclear however, whether leptin, an adipocyte‐derived hormone whose levels are influenced by several cytokines and which regulates immune function, food‐intake and energy expenditure is independently related to the development of and/or severity and mortality from SIRS/MODS. DESIGN and PATIENTS To assess the role of leptin in SIRS/MODS we performed a matched case control and a longitudinal study (14 days) in 35 critically ill patients with SIRS/MODS and 35 matched controls. RESULTS Baseline leptin levels were positively associated with body mass index (BMI) and TNF‐α (P