The Predictive Value of Different Laboratory Indicators Based on the 2018 Tokyo Guidelines for the Severity of Acute Cholangitis

Abstract

BackgroundThis study evaluated the predictive value of different laboratory indicators for the severity of acute cholangitis (AC) according to the 2018 Tokyo Guidelines. ObjectivesWe enrolled consecutive patients with a diagnosis of AC from June 2016 to May 2021. Serum procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, white blood cell counts, the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio, and the platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were compared according to the severity of AC. ResultsIn total, 293 patients were enrolled in this study (mild, n = 172; moderate, n = 68; severe, n = 53). In receiver operating characteristic analyses, CRP was the best biomarker for differentiating mild and moderate AC (area under the curve [AUC] 0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58–0.74). PCT was the best biomarker for differentiating mild and severe AC (AUC 0.80, 95% CI 0.74–0.86). Blood culture was performed in 117 patients (39.93%), 53 of whom (45.30%) had positive results. Regarding blood culture positivity, PLR was most predictive (AUC 0.85, 95% CI 0.78–0.92). ConclusionsPCT can be used as a reliable predictor of severe AC. CRP was most predictive of moderate AC, whereas PLR was most predictive of blood culture positivity.