Comparative analysis of predictive value of serum procalcitonin for the severity of community-acquired pneumonia in adult and elderly patients

Objective To evaluate the predictive value of serum procalcitonin(PCT) for the severity of community acquired pneumonia(CAP) in adult and elderly patients. Methods 86 hospitalized patients with CAP from May 2013 to May 2014 were selected,and they were divided into the adult group(65 years old,n=38) and the elderly group(≥65years old,n=48).The relationship between PCT level and severity of CAP, and the correlation between PCT and pneumonia severity index(PSI) and CRUB-65 score were analyzed retrospectively in each group. Results PCT level,PSI,and CURB-65 score in adult and elderly patients with severe pneumonia were higher than those in patients with nonsevere pneumonia of corresponding age group(P0.05 or P0.01).Moreover,PCT had significantly positive correlation with PSI and CURB-65 scroe in the elderly group,but not in the adult group. Conclusion Serum PCT may be a useful marker to evaluate the severity of CAP,and had a higher predictive value in elderly patients with CAP.