Early Diagnostic Value of Procalcitonin(PCT) for Sepsis

Objective To evaluate the significance of procalcitonin(PCT) in the early diagnosis and therapy of sepsis.Method 160 critically-ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit(ICU) were prospectively studied.According to the definition(ACCP/SCCM consensus conference) of systemic inflammatory response syndrome(SIRS),they were divided into four groups:control group(n=20),SIRS group(n=50),sepsis group with BG -(n=46) and sepsis group with BG +(n=44).Severity score(APACHE-Ⅱ score),clinical and biological data,PCT and C-reactive protein(CRP) levels were collected at the first admission.Results In serum PCT levels,there were statistically differences between sepsis and non-sepsis group(P0.0001),and between bacteremia and non-bacteremia group(P0.05),there was no difference between control group and SIRS group(P0.5).Serum PCT level2.0ng/ml could predict sepsis with a sensitivity of 93.3% and a specificity of 100%.Serum PCT level10.0ng/ml could accurately predict bacteremia in patients with sepsis(sensitivity 88.9%,specificity 85.6%).Conclusions PCT is one of new important parameters for the early diagnosis of sepsis.Routine measurement of PCT is helpful to the early diagnosis and reasonable therapy of sepsis.