Diagnostic Value of Serum Procalcitonin in Hospitalized Sepsis Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Early diagnosis of sepsis is important to reduce the mortality and morbidity. A marker for diagnostic, stratifying, prognostic, and treatment evaluation of sepsis is utmost important.This study aimed to evaluate the potency of procalcitonin (PCT) as a diagnostic marker in sepsis patients. Material(s) and Method(s): A case-control was conducted at Intensive Care Unit of Adam Malik Hospital, Medan, Indonesia.Patients diagnosed with sepsis as well as healthy individuals, matched gender and age with the sepsis patients, were included. The levels of PCT were measured by the semi-quantitative immunochromatographic method and were categorized into four: <0.5 ng/ml, >=0.5-<2 ng/ml, >=2-<10 ng/ ml, and >=10 ng/ml. In addition to PCT, leukocyte count, hemoglobin level, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were also measured. Result(s): The mean of leukocyte count was significantly higher in sepsis group than control (18.89+/-7.40x103/ mulvs.8.33+/-1.30x103/mul, p<0.001). The mean ESR in case group was significantly higher (31.09 mm/hour) than in control group (10.45 mm/hour) with p<0.001. In contrast, the mean hemoglobin level in sepsis patients was significantly lower than in controls, 9.84+/-1.91 gr/dl and 14.48+/-1.68, respectively with p<0.001. PCT level in all healthy individuals (100%) was <0.5 ng/ml; while within the sepsis group, 2 (15.4%) had PCT level less than 0.5 ng/ml, 5 (38.5%) was >2 ng/ml, and 6 (46.1%) was >10 ng/ml. No significant difference was found on PCT level when stratified by the severity of sepsis (p=0.524). Spearman's correlation test suggested there was significant and strong association between PCT and leukocyte level (r=0.588, p=0.034). Conclusion(s): Our data suggest that PCT could be a potential diagnostic marker of sepsis. Further studies are needed to understand optimal use of PCT in combination with other markers for early diagnosis of sepsis.Copyright © 2021, Institute of Medico-Legal Publications. All rights reserved.