Procalcitonin as an early indicator of outcome in sepsis: a prospective observational study

SummaryThis study explores the role of procalcitonin (PCT) in predicting the outcome of sepsis. In a prospective multicentre observational investigation, blood was sampled within 24 h of onset of sepsis in 1156 hospitalised patients; 234 were in the intensive care unit (ICU) at the point of presentation of sepsis while 922 were not. PCT was estimated in serum by the ultrasensitive Kryptor assay in a double-blinded fashion. Among patients outside the ICU, mortality was 8% in those with PCT ≤0.12 ng/mL but 19.9% in those with PCT >0.12 ng/mL [P < 0.0001, odds ratio (OR) for death: 2.606; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.553–4.371]. Among patients whose sepsis presented in ICU, mortality was 25.6% in those with PCT ≤0.85 ng/mL but 45.3% in those with PCT >0.85 ng/mL (P = 0.002; OR for death: 2.404; 95% CI: 1.385–4.171). It is concluded that PCT cut-off concentrations can contribute to predicting the outcome of sepsis and might be of particular value in identifying patients who would benefit from ICU admission.