Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD) for normally distributed variables or as median with inter-quartile range(Q1–Q3) for not normally distributed data. The two-group comparisons were made by the t-test or the non-parametric Mann–Whit-
ney test for skewed data. Associations between qualitative
variables were examined by the chi-square test or the Fisher's exact when appropriate. Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA followed by Dunn’s multiple comparison post hoc test were used to examine differences between more than two groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify potential risk factors for sepsis development. The examined variables, which entered in the analysis, were the significant ones by the preceding univariate analysis. Results are described by the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Furthermore, Cox regression models were fitted for all variables to examine their relationship with time to sepsis development. The revealed significant variables were then entered in a multiple Cox regression analysis. Results are described by the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted using sepsis development during ICU stay as the classification variable and sE-selectin, sP-selectin, PCT and CRP levels at ICU admission as prognostic variables. All p-values are two-sided; p < 0.05 were considered significant.