The significance of serum procalcitonin in patients with multiple trauma

Objective To study the changes of serum procalcitonin (PCT) in the patients with multiple trauma and its relationships with injury severity score (ISS), infection and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Methods Serum PCT, glucose, ALT, Cr and blood routine examination were measured in 64 cases of multiple trauma at 1, 3 and 5 days respectively after injuries. ISS, infection and MODS condition were recorded. Results The level of serum PCT in patients with multiple trauma was much higher than that of normal control (P0.01). The serum PCT, white blood cell count, ISS, blood glucose, ALT and Cr in the cases with MODS were all much higher than those with normal organ function (P0.05); The level of PCT in multiple trauma patients before the infection was significantly different with that after the infection (P0.01). Conclusion Multiple trauma may induce increasing of serum PCT, serum PCT is positively correlating with ISS, infection and MODS condition. To detect the level of serum PCT is helpful to make early diagnosis of the infection and warning the MODS in patients with multiple trauma.