ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the prognostic value of cardiac ultrasound left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) on admission in patients with septic cardiomyopathy.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. The patients with septic cardiomyopathy hospitalized in the intensive care unit of Zhoupu Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Health College from January 2019 to March 2023 were enrolled. The general information including gender and age, LVEF on admission, severity of illness scores within 24 hours after admission [acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ (APACHEⅡ) score and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score], procalcitonin (PCT), cardiac biomarkers [N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), cardiac troponin T (cTnT), and MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB)], mitochondria related indicators [aspartate aminotransferase (AST), AST/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio], blood lactate (Lac), the usage of vasoactive drugs and mechanical ventilation, and the prognosis during hospitalization were collected. The differences in above clinical data between the two groups were compared. The variables with statistically significant differences in univariate analysis were incorporated into multivariate Logistic regression analysis to analyze the independent risk factors for death during hospitalization in patients with septic cardiomyopathy. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was drawn to evaluate the prognostic value of LVEF by echocardiography on admission in patients with septic cardiomyopathy during hospitalization.Results:A total of 62 patients were enrolled, including 36 males and 26 females. Thirty-nine cases died and 23 cases survived during hospitalization, and the mortality was 62.90%. Compared with the survival group, the LVEF of patients on admission was lower in the death group [0.51 (0.40, 0.57) vs. 0.56 (0.51, 0.63), P < 0.01], APACHEⅡ score, SOFA score, Lac, NT-proBNP, CK-MB within 24 hours after admission were higher [APACHEⅡ score: 22.18±8.38 vs. 17.39±8.22, SOFA score: 9.90±3.87 vs. 7.09±3.27, Lac (mmol/L): 5.10 (2.63, 11.50) vs. 2.00 (1.40, 5.00), NT-proBNP (μg/L): 5.24 (2.84, 11.29) vs. 2.53 (0.35, 6.63), CK-MB (U/L): 1.88 (0.21, 5.33) vs. 0.17 (0.02, 1.62), all P < 0.05], and the proportion of vasoactive drug application was higher (82.05% vs. 47.83%, P < 0.01). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that LVEF on admission was an independent risk factor for predicting the prognosis of patients with septic cardiomyopathy during hospitalization [odds ratio ( OR) = 0.920, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 0.855-0.990, P = 0.025]. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of LVEF on admission for predicting the death of patients with septic cardiomyopathy was 0.715 (95% CI was 0.585-0.845, P = 0.005). When LVEF ≤ 0.52, the sensitivity was 73.9%, and the specificity was 61.5%. Conclusions:The lower cardiac ultrasound LVEF on admission, the worse the prognosis of patients with septic cardiomyopathy. The cardiac ultrasound LVEF on admission can be used as a clinical index to evaluate the severity of the condition and predict the prognosis of patients with septic cardiomyopathy.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate the prognostic value of Karnofsky performance scores (KPS) in elderly patients with sepsis, so as provide a basis for clinical evaluation of the condition, prognosis and corresponding treatment measures.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to collect the general information, clinical data, and follow-up data of limb motor function status and self-care ability of elderly patients with sepsis who were hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit of our hospital from January 2018 to June 2021. Patients were divided into the survival group and death group according to whether they survived the hospitalization. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test, chi-square test, and Mann-Whitney test. The KPS score before admission, disease severity scores (APACHEⅡ and SOFA), serum procalcitonin (PCT), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and arterial blood lactate level on admission were compared between the two groups. Then, the factors with significance in univariate analysis were analyzed by Logistic regression method, the independent risk factors for predicting in-hospital mortality were determined, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the prognostic value of KPS score in elderly patients with sepsis.Results:A total of 135 patients were collected. There were 85 males and 50 females, 60 died and 75 survived during hospitalization, with a mortality rate of 44.4%. The preadmission KPS score of elderly patients with sepsis in the death group was significantly lower than that in the survival group [30 (30, 40) vs. 70 (50, 90), P<0.001]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that KPS score ( OR=0.938, 95% CI: 0.914-0.963, P<0.001), SOFA score ( OR=1.255, 95% CI: 1.066-1.451, P=0.002) and arterial blood lactate ( OR=1.219, 95% CI: 1.059-1.404, P=0.006) were independent risk factors for predicting the prognosis during hospitalization. ROC curve analysis of mortality showed that compared with SOFA score and blood lactate, the area under the curve of KPS score was the largest, with AUC of 0.830 (95% CI: 0.756-0.890, P<0.001). In addition, the combination of KPS, SOFA and blood lactate had a greater predictive value for the prognosis of elderly patients with sepsis than that of the single index, with an AUC of 0.883 (95% CI: 0.826-0.940, P<0.001). Conclusions:The lower the KPS score, the worse the prognosis of elderly patients with sepsis. The KPS score can be used as a clinical indicator to predict the prognosis of elderly patients with sepsis.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#To investigate the diagnostic value of Hepcidin as a sepsis biomarker in critically ill adults.@*Methods@#An observational study was conducted. The patients with suspected or proven infection admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of Zhoupu Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences from March 2016 to November 2017 were enrolled. According to the third international consensus definitions for sepsis and septic shock (Sepsis-3), the patients were divided into non-sepsis group and sepsis group, and the septic patients were subdivided into general sepsis subgroup and septic shock subgroup according to the severity of disease. The differences in serum Hepcidin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil granulocytes (NEUT) and lactic acid (Lac) within 1 hour after ICU admission between non-sepsis and sepsis groups and among the sepsis subgroups were compared. The acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) within 24 hours after ICU admission and sequential organ failure score (SOFA) were recorded, and the mortality rate was followed up for 28 days. Receiver operation characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate and compare the diagnostic value of Hepcidin and PCT, CRP, WBC for sepsis. Logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between Hepcidin and sepsis. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between Hepcidin and other parameters of sepsis patients.@*Results@#A total of 183 patients were enrolled, 93 in the non-sepsis group and 90 in the sepsis group (48 with general sepsis and 42 with septic shock).① The levels of Hepcidin, IL-6, TNF-α, PCT, Lac in serum, and APACHEⅡand SOFA scores in the sepsis group were significantly higher than those in the non-sepsis group. ROC analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of Hepcidin and PCT for sepsis diagnosis were 0.865 [95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.807-0.911] and 0.848 (95%CI = 0.788-0.897), respectively, without statistical significance (Z = 0.443, P = 0.657). Furthermore, the AUC of Hepcidin for sepsis diagnosis was significantly higher than that of the conventional biomarkers CRP and WBC [AUC was 0.530 (95%CI = 0.455-0.604) and 0.527 (95%CI = 0.452-0.601), respectively] with statistical significance (both P < 0.01). When Hepcidin > 54.00 μg/L, its sensitivity for sepsis diagnosis was 95.56%, specificity was 66.67%, positive and negative predictive value was 73.51% and 93.94%, respectively. Parallel test was conducted for combination of Hepcidin and PCT, which showed that the AUC was 0.885, and the sensitivity and negative predictive value was significantly improved to 98.96% and 98.36%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that after adjusted for PCT, Hepcidin > 54.00 μg/L was also associated with sepsis independently, with odds ratio (OR) of 1.011 (95%CI = 1.008-1.015, P < 0.001), indicating that Hepcidin and PCT were not completely overlapped in the diagnosis of sepsis. ② With the increase in infection severity, serum Hepcidin, PCT, IL-6, TNF-α, Lac, APACHEⅡ, SOFA score and 28-day mortality all showed an increasing trend in patients. There was a significantly positive correlation between Hepcidin and IL-6, TNF-α, PCT, APACHEⅡ, and SOFA in the sepsis patients (r value was 0.526, 0.449, 0.591, 0.359, and 0.374, respectively, all P < 0.01), but no correlation was found between Hepcidin and Lac (r = 1.104, P > 0.05).@*Conclusions@#Serum Hepcidin is a useful biomarker for the diagnosis of sepsis, and it is correlated to the severity of the sepsis. The combination of Hepcidin and PCT can improve the accuracy of diagnosis of sepsis.@*Clinical trial registration@#China Clinical Trial Registration Center, ChiCTR-DDD-16008522.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the diagnostic value of Hepcidin as a sepsis biomarker in critically ill adults.@*METHODS@#An observational study was conducted. The patients with suspected or proven infection admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of Zhoupu Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences from March 2016 to November 2017 were enrolled. According to the third international consensus definitions for sepsis and septic shock (Sepsis-3), the patients were divided into non-sepsis group and sepsis group, and the septic patients were subdivided into general sepsis subgroup and septic shock subgroup according to the severity of disease. The differences in serum Hepcidin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil granulocytes (NEUT) and lactic acid (Lac) within 1 hour after ICU admission between non-sepsis and sepsis groups and among the sepsis subgroups were compared. The acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) within 24 hours after ICU admission and sequential organ failure score (SOFA) were recorded, and the mortality rate was followed up for 28 days. Receiver operation characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate and compare the diagnostic value of Hepcidin and PCT, CRP, WBC for sepsis. Logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between Hepcidin and sepsis. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between Hepcidin and other parameters of sepsis patients.@*RESULTS@#A total of 183 patients were enrolled, 93 in the non-sepsis group and 90 in the sepsis group (48 with general sepsis and 42 with septic shock). (1) The levels of Hepcidin, IL-6, TNF-α, PCT, Lac in serum, and APACHE II and SOFA scores in the sepsis group were significantly higher than those in the non-sepsis group. ROC analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of Hepcidin and PCT for sepsis diagnosis were 0.865 [95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.807-0.911] and 0.848 (95%CI = 0.788-0.897), respectively, without statistical significance (Z = 0.443, P = 0.657). Furthermore, the AUC of Hepcidin for sepsis diagnosis was significantly higher than that of the conventional biomarkers CRP and WBC [AUC was 0.530 (95%CI = 0.455-0.604) and 0.527 (95%CI = 0.452-0.601), respectively] with statistical significance (both P < 0.01). When Hepcidin > 54.00 μg/L, its sensitivity for sepsis diagnosis was 95.56%, specificity was 66.67%, positive and negative predictive value was 73.51% and 93.94%, respectively. Parallel test was conducted for combination of Hepcidin and PCT, which showed that the AUC was 0.885, and the sensitivity and negative predictive value was significantly improved to 98.96% and 98.36%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that after adjusted for PCT, Hepcidin > 54.00 μg/L was also associated with sepsis independently, with odds ratio (OR) of 1.011 (95%CI = 1.008-1.015, P < 0.001), indicating that Hepcidin and PCT were not completely overlapped in the diagnosis of sepsis. (2) With the increase in infection severity, serum Hepcidin, PCT, IL-6, TNF-α, Lac, APACHE II, SOFA score and 28-day mortality all showed an increasing trend in patients. There was a significantly positive correlation between Hepcidin and IL-6, TNF-α, PCT, APACHE II, and SOFA in the sepsis patients (r value was 0.526, 0.449, 0.591, 0.359, and 0.374, respectively, all P < 0.01), but no correlation was found between Hepcidin and Lac (r = 1.104, P > 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Serum Hepcidin is a useful biomarker for the diagnosis of sepsis, and it is correlated to the severity of the sepsis. The combination of Hepcidin and PCT can improve the accuracy of diagnosis of sepsis.@*CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION@#China Clinical Trial Registration Center, ChiCTR-DDD-16008522.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Biomarkers , C-Reactive Protein , Calcitonin , Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide , China , Critical Illness , Hepcidins , Prognosis , Protein Precursors , ROC Curve , SepsisABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of ulinastatin treatment on the inflammatory factor expression and prognosis in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Methods One hundred patients with VAP were enrolled, and the patients were given the standardized treatment of VAP. The patents were divided into high dose group (33 cases, using the ulinastatin 20 000 U/d), normal dose group (34 cases, using the ulinastatin 10 000 U/d) and control group (33 cases, no using the ulinastatin) by random digits table method. The serum C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-αlevels at the first, third, fifth and seventh day of diagnosis were detected. All the patients were followed up for 1 month, and the antibiotics treatment time, mechanical ventilation time, ICU stay time and mortality were recorded. Results The CRP, procalcitonin, TNF-αand IL-6 from the first day of diagnosis to the seventh day of diagnosis in 3 groups showed the downward trend, and there were statistical differences (P0.05). At the third, fifth and seventh day of diagnosis, the TNF-α levels in high dose group were (46.02 ± 4.65), (23.88 ± 7.76) and (11.05 ± 2.56) ng/L, the IL-6 levels were (15.53 ± 4.54), (11.33 ± 3.45) and (6.62 ± 2.45) ng/L;the TNF-αlevels in normal dose group were (56.02 ± 6.42), (38.88 ± 9.34) and (27.05 ± 3.42) ng/L, the IL-6 levels were (18.23 ± 2.45), (15.33 ± 4.34) and (11.23 ± 3.34) ng/L; the TNF-α levels in control group were (68.13 ± 4.77), (52.88 ± 7.46) and (42.12 ± 3.76) ng/L, the IL-6 levels were (20.02 ± 3.23), (17.23 ± 2.34) and (15.33 ± 2.33) ng/L. The TNF-αand IL-6 levels at the third, fifth and seventh day of diagnosis in high dose group were significantly lower than those in normal dose group and control group, and those in the normal dose group were significantly lower than those in control group, and there were statistical differences (P0.05). Conclusions Ulinastatin can inhibit the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in patents with VAP, shorten the antibiotics treatment time, mechanical ventilation time, ICU stay time and mortality, and improve prognosis.
ABSTRACT
Objective To discuss the risk factors of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in intensive care unit(ICU).Methods From January 2008 to June 2010,the clinical data of 145 patients with mechanical ventilation over 48 hours in ICU were analyzed prospectively,and the effect was observed.Results There were a total of 53 patients with VAP,and the incidence was 36.6％ (53/145).Thirty-three cases died,and the fatality rate was higher than that in non-VAP patients [62.3％ (33/53) vs.30.4％ (28/92)],and there was significant difference (P ＜0.05).Related factors analysis results showed that indwelling gastric tube,the use of antiacids,mechanical ventilation time,nutritional status,age ≥ 60 years and chronic diseases were the risk factors of VAP (P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01).Conclusion VAP has many risk factors and higher fatality rate in ICU,and comprehensive prevention measures should be adopted to prevent the occurrence of VAP.
ABSTRACT
Objective To measure the levels of human interleukin (IL)-32 in the serum and induced sputum of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and investigate the possible roles of IL-32 in COPD.Methods Sixty patients with acute exacerbation of COPD ( AECOPD),60 patients with stable COPD,and 30 healthy subjects were recruited.The concentrations of IL-8,tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α),and IL-32 in serum and induced sputum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The correlations among IL-32,IL-8,TNF-α,and lung functions were investigated. The data were analyzed using a statistical software package (SPSS 13.0).Variables were compared with one-way ANOVA,and correlations among variables were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient or Spearman's correlation coefficient.Results The serum IL-32 level was significantly higher in AECOPD patients [(175 ± 88) ng/L] than in healthy subjects [ (59 ± 21 ) ng/L] and in stable COPD patients [ (89 ± 34) ng/L] (P ＜ 0.05) ; the serum IL-32 level was also significantly higher in stable COPD patients than in healthy subjects (P ＜ 0.05).The sputum IL-32 level was significantly higher in AECOPD patients [ ( 163 ± 117) ng/L] than in healthy subjects [ ( 75 ± 38 ) ng/L] and stable COPD patients [ ( 108 ± 63 )ng/L] (P ＜0.05); the sputum IL-32 level was also significantly higher in stable COPD patients than in healthy subjects ( P ＜ 0.05 ).The sputum IL-32 level in AECOPD patients was positively correlated with the sputum IL-8 and TNF-α levels (r =0.49 and 0.53,respectively) (P ＜0.01 ).The sputum IL-32 level in AECOPD patients was negatively correlated with FEV1 predicted values,FEV1/FVC,and PaO2 (r =-0.44to -0.33) (P ＜ 0.01 ).The serum IL-32 level in AECOPD patients was positively correlated with the serum IL-8 and TNF-o levels (r =0.45 and 0.61,respectively) (P ＜ 0.01 ).The serum IL-32 level in AECOPD patients was negatively correlated with FEV1 predicted values,FEV1/FVC,and PaO2 (r =-0.46to - 0.29) ( P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions IL-32 may be involved in the pathogenesis of airway inflammation in COPD.IL-32 may be a useful marker of acute exacerbation of COPD.
ABSTRACT
Objective To discuss the value of Visfatin in severity evaluation in patients with severe pneumonia via observation on the variations of the plasma level of Visfatin. Method Seventy subjects including 40 patients with severe pneumonia ( group A) and 30 patients with non-severe pneumonia (group B) admitted to the ICU of emergency department and general wards from June 2009 to June 2010, were enrolled in this prospective study, and another 30 healthy individuals from physical examinees were included as subjects in control group (group C). Patients with severe diseases of heart, brain and kidney, cancers, autoimmune disease, or under special treatment in latest one month were excluded. For the subjects of all three groups, the plasma levels of Visfatin, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α were measured by using ELISA, while the level of CRP was assayed by using immunoturbidimetry, and the routine blood test was performed as well. The blood gas analysis and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ ( APACHE Ⅱ) were carried out in patients with pneumonia. Comparisons between groups were made by t-tests, ANOVA or nonparametric test. Correlation analysis was carried out by Pearson correlation coefficient or Spearman rank correlation test. Results The plasma level of Visfatin in patients with severe pneumonia (group A) was significantly higher than that in patients with non-severe pneumonia (group B) and in the control subjects (group C) (P < 0. 01) , and the level of Visfatin in pneumonia ( group B) and in control group (group C) , and that in group B was significantly higher than that in the controls (group C) (P <0. 01). In group A, the plasma level of Visfatin was positively correlated with CRP, TNF-α, APACHE Ⅱ and PMN% (rha =0. 653, r = 0.554, r = 0.558, r= 0.484, P <0. 05), while negatively correlated with PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 ( rha = -0.422, r= -0.543, P <0. 05). Conclusions Visfatin may be involved in the systemic inflammation response in severe pneumonia as a pro-inflammatory cytokine which is valuable in assessing the severity of pneumonia.
ABSTRACT
Objective To determine the level of adiponectin (APN) in serum and induced sputum of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease both during acute exacerbation (AECOPD) and silent stage, and investigate APN' s role as a marker of inflammation in the pathogenesis of COPD. Method From October 2008 to October 2009,30 male AECOPD patients in the emergency department, 30 male silent COPD patients in the department of respiratory diseases and 30 healthy nonsmoking male volunteers were included. All subjects' serum and induced sputum were collected, and they were all of normal weight(BMI range of 18.5～ 24.9 kg/m2). Patients were excluded if they suffered from severe bronchial asthma, bronchiectasis or autoimmune disease. The number of cells in induced sputum was counted and the cell type was classified. The concentrations of APN, IL-8, IL-6 and TNF-α in both serum and sputum were measured by using ELISA, and their pulmonary function was tested. The different groups were compared among them by using the t -tests, ANOVA analysis or nonparametric analysis, the relation between variables was assessed by using the Pearson or Spearman correlation test. Results The concentrations of APN in both serum and induced sputum of AECOPD patients were significantly higher than those in the silent COPD patients and the control subjects ( P ＜ 0.01 ). The concentrations of APN in the silent COPD patients were significantly higher than those in the control subjects ( P ＜ 0. 01 ). There were significant relationships between the concentrations of APN in serum and induced sputum and the levels of IL-8 and TNF-α in AECOPD patients ( r = 0.739, 0. 734,0.852 and 0. 857, respectively, P ＜ 0. 05) and in silent COPD patients ( r = 0.751,0.659, 0.707 and 0.867, respectively, P ＜0.05). There was significant relation betweenship between APN and neutrophil in induced sputum of AECOPD patients (r = 0.439, P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions APN was involved in the process of systemic and airway inflammation of COPD, and it was related with IL-8 and TNF-α. APN can be used as a new inflammation marker for COPD.
ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the value of serum procalcitonin (PCT)on antibiotic use in treatment of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in outpatient. Methods From November 2006 to February 2008, a total of 127 patients with CAP in outpatient were randomly assigned into two groups:PCT group(n=63)and control group(n =64). PCT levels of all patients were measured after study admission. On the base of similarly normal treatment, the control group received antibiotics according to the attending physicians and the PCT group were treated with antibiotics according to serum PCT levels: antibiotic treatment was applied with PCT level ≥ 0. 25 μg/L and was discouraged with PCT level < 0.25 μg/L. Clinical efficacy, rate of antibiotics use, duration courses and costs of antibiotics were observed. Results Clinical efficacy of the PCT group was similar with the control group (92.1% vs 87.5%, P >0.05) ;rate and costs of antibiotics use was lower, antibiotic duration of the PCT group was shorter than that ofthecontroigroup(P<0.05,P<0.001,P<0.001).Conclusion PCT could be used in treatment of CAP for antibiotic use in outpatient, which may reduce antibiotic use, shorten antibiotic duration and lower costs of antibiotic.
ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the predicting value of serum procaleitonin (PCT) in treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) in elderly patients. Methods A total of 267 elderly patients requiring hospitalization for AECOPD were randomly assigned into 2 groups: standard therapy group (standard group, n= 135) and PCT-guided group(PCT group, n= 132). Standard group received antibiotics according to the guideline of attending physicians and PCT group were treated with antibiotics according to serum PCT levels.Length of hospitalization, clinical efficacy, costs of hospitalization and antibiotics, rate of antibiotics use, hospital mortality, rate of exacerbation and rehospitalization, frequency of exacerbation within 1 year were observed. Results Length of hospitalization, clinical efficacy, hospital mortality, rate of exacerbation and rehospitalization, frequency of exacerbation within 1 year were similar in 2 groups(all P＞0.05);costs of hospitalization and antibiotics, rate of antibiotics use of PCT group[10 882 (3808-16 651)yuan, 6934 (2390-10 660)yuan, 76.5%] were lower than those of standard group[13 637(4650-19 730)yuan, 8589(3144-12 117)yuan, 87.4%] (all P＜0.05). Conclusions PCT guidance offers an advantage over standard therapy in reducing antibiotic use and in lowering the costs of hospitalization in treatment of AECOPD in elderly patients.
ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the value of serum procalcitonin(PCT)on antibiotics use in treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease( AECOPD). Method From May 2004 to December 2006, a total of 235 patients requiring hospitalization for AECOPD were randomly assigned into two groups: standard therapy group(group A, n = 117)and PCT-guided group(group B, n = 118) .PCT levels of all patients were measured after hospital admission by an amplified cryptate emission technology assay. On the base of similarly normal treatment, group A received antibiotics according to the attending physicians,and group B were treated with antibiotics according to serum PCT levels:antibiotic treatment was applied with PCT level ≥0.25 ng/ml and was discouraged with PCT level ＜0.25 ng/ml. Length of hospitalization,clinical efficacy,costs of hospitalization and antibiotics, rate of antibiotics use, hospital mortality,rate of exacerbation and rehospitalization within 1 year were observed. Analyses were performed by t test, Mann-Whitney U test or χ2 test. Results Clinical efficacy, hospital mortality, length of hospitalization, rate of exacerbation and rehospitalization within 1 year were similar in two groups (P =0.635,0.768,0.884,0.747,0.727) ;costs of antibiotics and hospitalization,rate of antibiotics use of PCT-guided group were lower than that of standard therapy group( P = 0.029,0.036,0.014). Conclusions PCT could be used in treatment of AECOPD for antibiotic use after hospital admission,which may reduce antibiotic use and lower costs of antibiotic and hospitalization.