Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between the levels of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100B protein and coma duration, and evaluate the optimal cut-off values for prediction coma duration ≥ 72 hours in patients with acute carbon monoxide poisoning (ACOP).A total of 60 patients with ACOP were divided into 3 following groups according to their status of consciousness and coma duration at admission: Awake group [Glasgow Coma Scale score (GCS score) ≥ 13 points], Coma < 72 hours group (GCS score < 13 points and coma duration < 72 h), and Coma ≥ 72 hours group (GCS score < 13 points and coma duration ≥ 72 h). The levels of serum NSE and S100B protein were measured after admission.There were significant differences in GCS score, carbon monoxide (CO) exposure time, NSE, and S100B levels between the Coma ≥ 72 h group and the Awake group, and between the Coma < 72 h group and the Awake group. Significant differences in GCS score, NSE, and S100B levels were also found between Coma ≥ 72 h group and Coma < 72 h group. Correlation analysis showed that NSE and S100B were positively correlated (rs = 0.590, P < .01); NSE and S100B were negatively correlated with GCS score (rs = -0.583, rs = -0.590, respectively, both P < .01). The areas under the curve (AUCs) of NSE, S100B, and GCS score to predict the coma duration ≥ 72 hours were 0.754, 0.791, and 0.785, respectively. Pairwise comparisons did not show differences among the 3 groups (all P > .05). The sensitivity and specificity of NSE prediction with a cut-off value of 13 μg/L were 80% and 64%, respectively, and those of S100B prediction with a cut-off value of 0.43 μg/L were 70% and 88%, respectively.The NSE and S100B protein levels were significantly correlated with the degree of impaired consciousness and had the same clinical value in predicting coma duration of ≥ 72 hours in patients with ACOP.