The aims of the study were to evaluate serum total cholesterol and serum C-reactive protein as a prognostic factor for survival in critical ill patients . The study population consisted of 50 patients (age range, 18-90 years; median, 55 years; men/women ratio, 2:3) in critical ill patients . Patients' serum levels of total cholesterol and C- reactive protein were measured upon admission to citical care unit, three days later, and on the day discharge from ICU. Total cholesterol levels were significantly lower among the non-surviving patients (day 0,1 15 .4 ± 29.66 mg/dL; day 3,113.2 ± 37.19 mg/dL; day of discharge,104.0 ±42.96 mg/dL) than surviving patients (day 0,142.5 ± 23.93 mg/dL [P = 0.001]; day 3 ,145.5 ± 28.17 mg/dL [P = 0.001]; day of discharge 147.5 ± 35.97 mg/dL [P = 0.001]). C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher among the non-survivors (day 0,136.8 18.77 mg/dL; day 3,155.1 ± 18.94 mg/dL; day of discharge178.5 ± 22.30 mg/dL) than survivors (day 0,68.85 ±19.73 mg/dL[P =
0.001]; day 3,63.08 ± 18.05 mg/dL[P = 0.001]; day of discharge,52.98 ± 14.25 mg/dL;[P = 0.001]). Serum
cholesterol and C-reactive protein can be used as markers for predicting survival in critical ill patients . Low cholesterol and high C-reactive protein levels appear as a valuable tool for individual risk assessment in critical ill patients.