Prognostic Value of Procalcitonin in Sepsis Patients

Objective: The diagnostic and prognostic value of procalcitonin (PCT) was measured on different days in patients with sepsis. Methods: 50 patients who were diagnosed with sepsis and followed up in intensive care units were included. Serum PCT levels of the patients with sepsis were measured before beginning of the antibacterial treatment, and then on third and fifth days. Results: Higher serum PCT levels were detected in the patients with sepsis. There was a significant statistical difference among the repeated measurements in the surviving patients. A statistical difference between surviving and nonsurviving patients were detected in patients with high risk and low risk in terms of their PCT levels. A significant difference was found between the PCT levels on day 1 and 5, especially in the survivors. Conclusions: The results of the study showed that PCT can be used not only in the diagnosis of sepsis but also in predicting its prognosis.