Value of pro-adrenomedullin (pro-ADM) in early diagnosis of sepsis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the value of pro-adrenomedullin (pro-ADM) in the early diagnosis of sepsis. Methods Seventy-five patients admitted to ICU, who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for sepsis, were divided into the sepsis group (n=54) and the non-sepsis group (n=21) . Blood samples were collected at the day of ICU admission, and the concentrations of serum pro-ADM and PCT were measured. The sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic biomarkers were analyzed by using receiver operating characteristic curve, and the critical values were established. Results Compared with the non-sepsis group, the concentrations of proADM, PCT, CRP, and WBC significantly increased in the sepsis group, and there were statistical significance in the increasing concentrations of proADM, PCT, and CRP. The area under the curve of proADM was larger than that of PCT and CRP. The sensitivity of proADM was not significantly different from that of PCT (84% vs 86%) , which was significantly better than that of CRP and WBC. The specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of proADM were all 100%, respectively, which were better than those of PCT, CRP and WBC. Conclusion Plasma pro-ADM level is significantly elevated in the early stage of sepsis, which may be used in the early diagnosis of sepsis. As a biomarker for the diagnosis of sepsis, Pro-ADM shows higher diagnostic accuracy than the conventional biomarkers PCT, WBC and CRP. It favors the early detection and early diagnosis of sepsis. Key words: Sepsis; Pro-ADM; Early diagnosis