The early diagnostic value and prognostic significance of serum procalcitonin in patients with sepsis

Objective To investigate the early diagnostic value and prognostic significance of serum procalcitonin (PCT) in patients with sepsis. Methods Ninety cases between December 2008 and April 2009 were collected. According to the 1991 ACCP/SCCM and 2001 SCCM/ESICM/ACCP/ATS/SIS sepsis diagnosis criteria,they were divided into sepsis group (50 cases), nonbacterial systemic inflammation syndrome group (SIRS group, 17 cases) and control group (23 cases). Sepsis group was divided into two subgroups (survival group and death group) according to 28-day prognosis Dynamic changes of serum PCT, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell (WBC), and neutrophil count percentage (N) on the 1st, 4th day after admission was monitored,meanwhile, the maximal body temperature was recorded. Results The serum PCT level of sepsis group on the 1st day was higher than that in SIRS group and control group,and the difference was statistically significant [6.68 μg/L(1.16-12.46 μg/L) vs 0.22 μg/L(0.05-0.54 μg/L) vs 0.05 μg/L(0.05-0.27 μg/L), P < 0.05]. The serum PCT level of death group was higher than that in survival group,and the difference was statistically significant[11.89μg/L (10.00-28.67 μg/L) vs 2.44 μg/L(1.11-10.00 μg/L),P<0.05]. In sepsis group,serum PCT was positively correlated with APACHE Ⅱ score(r = 0.511, P = 0.000). The area under the ROC curve of PCT was bigger than that of CRP,WBC,N and ESR. The serum PCT level of survival group gradually decreased to normal level after the therapy,but the serum PCT level of death group didn't decrease significantly. Conclusions Serum PCT is a better biomarker in the early diagnosis of sepsis,and its sensitivity and specificity is superior to other inflammation parameters. It positively correlates with the severity of sepsis and can predict the prognosis. Key words: Sepsis; C-reactive protein; Prognosis; Procalcitonin