Serum procalcitonin at the time of admission to the ICU as a predictor of short-term mortality

Clin Biochem. 2009 Jul;42(10-11):1025-31. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2009.03.012. Epub 2009 Mar 24.

Abstract

Objective: This purpose of this study was to determine if serum procalcitonin (PCT) concentration at the time of admission to the ICU is a predictor of all-cause short-term mortality.

Design and methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted over a 16-month period with 86 consecutive critically ill patients. The semi-quantitative PCT-Q test was performed and APACHE II scores and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were determined within 24 h of admission.

Results: PCT-Q test value was a better predictor of all-cause short-term mortality than CRP value or APACHE II score. PCT > or = 10 ng/mL was highly and independently correlated with mortality. Use of PCT-Q > or = 10 ng/mL was superior to use of APACHE II > or = 25 or CRP > or = 10 mg/dL as a predictor of poor outcome.

Conclusions: A PCT-Q value > or = 10 ng/mL obtained at the time of admission to the ICU is a strong predictor of short-term mortality.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • APACHE
  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis
  • Calcitonin / blood*
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide
  • Critical Illness / mortality
  • Demography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Admission*
  • Prognosis
  • Protein Precursors / blood*
  • ROC Curve
  • Sepsis / blood
  • Sepsis / microbiology
  • Sepsis / mortality*
  • Survival Analysis
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • CALCA protein, human
  • Protein Precursors
  • Calcitonin
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide