ABSTRACT
Despite progress in intensive care, the morbidity and mortality of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains high. Furthermore, the predictive and prognostic utility of resistin-like molecule beta (RELM-ß) in patients with CAP is uncertain. This study investigated the role of RELM-ß in patients with CAP and evaluated its correlation with disease severity and the risk of death. A prospective, multicenter study was conducted in 2017, and admission serum levels of RELM-ß were detected using quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A total of 114 and 112 patients with severe CAP (SCAP) and non-severe CAP (NSCAP) were enrolled, respectively, with 15 healthy controls. Patients with SCAP, especially non-survivors, had significantly higher levels of serum RELM-ß than patients with NSCAP. RELM-ß levels positively correlated with severity scores and consistently predicted SCAP in patients with CAP (area under the curve = 0.794). Increased levels of RELM-ß were closely related to the severity and prognosis of patients with CAP. The accuracy of 30-day mortality predictions of CURB-65 (confusion, urea, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and age ≥ 65 years) can be significantly improved when combined with RELM-ß levels. The level of RELM-ß can assist clinicians in risk stratification of patients with CAP in early stages.