Background: Trace elements l ike copper and zinc have a signi ficant influence on the function of the immune
system.
Aim: To evaluate basel ine trace elements as s predictor of septic shock in Egyptian elderly patients wi thin
intensive care set ting.
Methods: A prospective study for al l patients admi t ted to Ain Shams Geriat rics intensive care uni t ( ICU) during a 6
months period. Patients divided to: group who did not develop septic shock and those who developed septic shock.
APACHE II score (Acute Physiology and Chronic Heal th Evalua tion I I) , systemic inflammatory response (SIR) and
vi tal signs were veri fied. Routine laboratory tests, conscious level and length of stay were recorded. Trace
elements (zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu)) were analysed.
Results: The sample included 142 patients (49% females) . The mean age was 69.5±7.3. Septic shock was
observed in 12% of them. There was a statistical ly signi f icant di fference between sept ic and non -septic shock
patients as regards basel ine serum zinc level (P ≤ 0.001) but no di f ference regarding serum copper level (p ≥0.05) .
Conclusions: The study highl ighted that basel ine zinc deficiency may add to the risk of developing septic shock in
elderly patients. However, further studies are needed to conf i rm such association