Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis score (LRINEC score)

Calculator

When to use

C-reactive protein

< 15 mg/dL [150 mg/L]

≥ 15 mg/dL [150 mg/L]

White blood cell count

< 15,000/mcL

15,000-25,000/mcL

> 25,000/mcL

Hemoglobin

> 13.5 g/dL

11-13.5 g/dL

< 11

Sodium

≥ 135 mmol/L

< 135 mmol/L

Creatinine

≤ 1.6 mg/dL [141 mcmol/L]

> 1.6 mg/dL [141 mcmol/L]

Glucose

≤ 180 mg/dL [10 mmol/L]

> 180 mg/dL [10 mmol/L]

Calculation

Please enter all the required inputs.

The Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) score is a clinical calculator used to assess the risk of necrotizing fasciitis, a severe type of soft tissue infection, in patients presenting with severe skin and soft tissue infections. The LRINEC score is calculated based on six laboratory values: C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count (WBC), hemoglobin, sodium, creatinine, and glucose levels. This calculator is applicable to patients with severe skin and soft tissue infections where there is a suspicion of necrotizing fasciitis. The clinical utility of the LRINEC score is to aid in the early identification of necrotizing fasciitis, which is critical as this condition can rapidly progress and become life-threatening. The LRINEC score may not be applicable or accurate in patients with underlying conditions that can affect the laboratory values used in the score, such as chronic kidney disease (which can affect creatinine levels) or diabetes (which can affect glucose levels). It should also be noted that a low LRINEC score does not completely rule out necrotizing fasciitis, and clinical judgment should always be used in conjunction with this scoring system.

Reference

Chin-Ho Wong, Lay-Wai Khin, Kien-Seng Heng et al. The LRINEC (Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis) score: a tool for distinguishing necrotizing fasciitis from other soft tissue infections. Crit Care Med. 2004 Jul;32(7):1535-41.

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