Baseline serum matrix metalloproteinase-8 and 28-day mortality in sepsis at ICU admission
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By
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Huanqin Liu
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Yingkui Song
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Yanan Lv
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Feng Qu
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Jikui Shi
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January 31, 2026
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Objective:
To evaluate the association between baseline serum MMP-8 levels at ICU admission and 28-day mortality in sepsis patients.
Key Findings:
- Higher baseline MMP-8 levels were significantly associated with increased 28-day mortality (HR 1.40 per 10 ng/mL).
- Patients in the highest MMP-8 tertile had a mortality rate significantly higher than those in the lowest tertile (adjusted HR 6.50).
- MMP-8 levels remained elevated among non-survivors during the first week.
Interpretation:
MMP-8 serves as a marker of inflammatory injury and may reflect excessive neutrophil activation in sepsis, contributing to organ dysfunction.
Limitations:
- Single-center design limits generalizability.
- Exclusion of patients with malignancy or severe immunosuppression.
- Potential confounding by unmeasured treatment delays.
Conclusion:
Admission MMP-8 may aid in early risk stratification for sepsis and warrants validation in larger, independent cohorts.
