Can HALP score, a new prognostic tool, take the place of traditional scoring systems in Fournier's gangrene?

PurposeFournier's Gangrene (FG) is a fatal condition, therefore prognosis prediction is a crucial step before treatment planning. We aimed to investigate the predictive value of Hemoglobin, Albumin, Lymphocyte and Platelet (HALP) score which is frequently employed in vascular disorders and malignancies, on disease severity and survival in FG patients and to compare HALP score with well-known scoring systems on this aspect.Materials and methodsEighty-seven men who had surgical debridement for FG between December 2006 and January 2022 were included in this study. Their symptoms, physical examination findings, laboratory tests, medical histories, vital signs, extent and timing of the surgical debridement and antimicrobial therapies were noted. The HALP score, Age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (ACCI) and Fournier's Gangrene Severity Index (FGSI) were evaluated for their predictive values for survival.ResultsFG patients were grouped as survivors (Group 1, n = 71) and non-survivors (Group 2, n = 16) and the results were compared. The mean ages of survivors (59 & PLUSMN; 12.55 years) and non-survivors (64.5 & PLUSMN; 14.6 years) were similar (p = 0.114). The median size of necrotized body surface area was 3% in Group 1 and 4.8% in Group 2 (p = 0.013). On admission, hemoglobin, albumin and serum urea levels and white blood cell counts were significantly different in two study groups. Two study groups were similar for HALP scores. However, ACCI and FGSI scores were greater significantly in non-survivors.ConclusionsOur results indicated that HALP score does not predict a survival successfully in FG. However, FGSI and ACCI are successful outcome predictors in FG.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of Hemoglobin, Albumin, Lymphocyte and Platelet (HALP) score in Fournier's gangrene (FG) patients and compare it with other scoring systems. The results showed that HALP score was not a successful predictor for survival in FG, while FGSI and ACCI were successful outcome predictors in FG.