Clinical values of serum procalcitonin in community acquired pneumonia in aged patients

Objective To explore the clinical values of serum procalcitonin in community acquired pneumonia in aged patients. Methods We selected 40 community acquired pneumonia patients admitted in the First People's Hospital of Zhaoqing from March 2012 to September 2013 as the observation group. CRP was measured by using immunity-turbidity method; PCT was determined by Brahms PCT-Q and WBC was counted in serial blood samples from 40 patients with community acquired pneumonia and 20 healthy people. Results Taking CRP≥10 mg·L- 1as accurate rate,the sensitivity,specificity,accuracy were 78. 3%,63. 1%,76. 4%,respectively; taking PCT≥0. 3 μg·L- 1as the standard,the sensitivity,specificity,accuracy were 84. 2%,90. 3%,86. 9%,respectively; taking WBC 10 × 109·L- 1as the standard,the sensitivity,specificity,accuracy were 47. 5%,84. 3%,70. 7%,respectively. Serum CPR and PCT scores,the percentage of neutrophils and WBC in the control group were significantly lower than those in the observation group( P 0. 05). Conclusions The levels of CRP,PCT and WBC count show a significant correlation with the diagnosis of CAP and PCT have higher sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of CAP. The level of PCT can be used as a severity index to evaluate the elderly community-acquired pneumonia.