Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor (suPAR): Role in the Risk Stratification of Potentially Infected Patients Presenting at the Emergency Department

Background/Objectives: Risk stratification of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with suspected infection is essential. Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) has emerged as a promising biomarker of immune activation and outcome prediction, but its role in febrile ED patients remains to be fully defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of suPAR and its potential clinical application in the ED. Methods: A single-center retrospective study including 125 patients was performed. Plasma suPAR levels were measured together with C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT), and their association with 28-day mortality using Cox regression and ROC curve analyses was assessed. Results: SuPAR was independently associated with the risk of 28-day mortality, showing a very high negative predictive value. Higher suPAR levels were associated with an increased risk of death. Conclusions: SuPAR may represent a valuable tool to support early patient assessment and risk stratification in the ED, potentially improving resource utilization and patient prioritization.