Analysis of procalcitonin in patients with end stage liver disease complicated with acute kidney injury

Abstract

Objective To explore the role of procalcitonin (PCT) test in patients with end stage liver disease (ESLD) complicated with acute kidney injury (AKI). Methods This is a case control study.Between January 2009 and January 2012,40 ESLD inpatients with AKI were enrolled in AKI group while 50 ESLD inpatients with normal renal function were included in control group.Clinical data such as age,gender,etiology of liver failure,infection rates and types,child-pugh classification,model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score and systemic inflammatory response (SIRS) score of the two groups were recorded.Serum renal function were tested via Roche Modular-P800 automatic biochemical analyzer and PCT were tested via Roche E170 automatic electrochemical luminescence analyzer.Count data were analyzed by chi-square test,normal distribution measurement data were analyzed by student t test and non-normal distribution measurement data were analyzed by Wilcoxon rank sum test.Spearman correlation analysis between PCT and renal function was performed in AKI group. Results Infection rates of AKI group (82.5%) was significantly (χ2=25.68,P<0.05) higher than that of control group (26.0%).PCT level and SIRS score of AKI group[8.72 (3.14,31.68) μg/L and 2.15±1.11] were significantly (H and t values were 6.78 and 6.36 respectively,P<0.05) higher than those of control group[0.11 (0.04,0.45) μg/L,and 0.67±0.59].In AKI group,PCT and urea performed were well related (r=0.67,P<0.05). Conclusion Elevated infection rate and PCT level in ESLD patients with AKI suggest that infection and consequent sepsis are closely associate with AKI in ESLD patients and elevated PCT level may indicate the high risk of AKI in patients with ESLD.(Chin J Lab Med,2013,36:1018-1021) Key words: End stage liver disease; Acute kidney injury; Calcitonin; Protein precursors