Correlation of blood high mobility group box-1 protein with mortality of patients with sepsis: A meta-analysis

•Initial levels of HMGB-1 were observed to be significantly higher in septic patients who perished within 30 days, compared to those who survived.•Pooled results failed to demonstrate a significant association of HMGB-1 concentrations at admission with mortality of more severe sepsis, mostly septic shock.•A stronger correlation between blood HMGB-1 levels on day 3 after admission and fatal cases of sepsis was suggested.•HMGB-1 can be used for guiding sepsis management in the clinical setting.