Prognosis prediction of procalcitonin within 24 h for acute diquat poisoning

Abstract

Background: To explore the predictive value of procalcitonin (PCT) within 24 h after poisoning for prognosis of acute diquat poisoning.

Methods: This retrospective study included acute diquat poisoning patients in the Nanyang City Hospital between May 2017 and July 2021.

Results: Among the 45 patients included, 27 survived. The maximum PCT value within 24 h after poisoning was significantly higher in the non-survival patients [9.65 (2.63, 22.77) vs. 0.15 (0.10, 0.50) µg/mL, P < 0.001] compared to the survival patients. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) indicated that the maximum PCT value within 24 h had a good predictive value (AUC = 0.905, 95% CI: 0.808-1.000) compared to ingested quantity (AUC = 0.879, 95% CI: 0.776-0.981), serum creatinine (AUC = 0.776, 95% CI: 0.640-0.912), or APACHE II score (AUC = 0.778, 95% CI: 0.631-0.925). The predictive value of maximum PCT value within 24 h was comparable with blood lactate (AUC = 0.904, 95%CI: 0.807-1.000).

Conclusions: The maximum PCT value within 24 h after poisoning might be a good predictor for the prognosis of patients with acute diquat poisoning.

Keywords: Acute diquat poisoning; Procalcitonin; Prognosis; Retrospective study.