Value of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Objective Investigate the value of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein (CRP) for acute exacerbation chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and analyse the relationship between procalcitonin and CRP and the short term prognosis of COPD.Methods A total of 55 cases of COPD patients were divided into observation group and control group.The observation group was 34 cases of acute exacerbation of patients,and the control group was 21 cases with stable patients.Two blood samples were collected,separated conventionally from the serum,using enzyme-linked fluorescent immunoassay to test PCT,by immune scattering turbidity for CRP.Compare the value of PCT and CRP between the two groups.In the observation group,sputum specimens for culture were collected before using antibiotics.Compare the value of PCT and CRP between positive and negtive of sputum culture of the observation group.In the observation group patients discharged within 1 year,the times of acute exacerbation and distance of first times of acute exacerbation were followed up.Linear correlation analyse were performed for the times of exacerbations and distance of first times of acute exacerbation and the value of PCT and CRP.Compare the value of PCT and CRP of the first acute exacerbation in and out of three months.Results There is significant difference between the observation group and the control group of patients with PCT and CRP levels (t =-4.468,-5.309,P =0.000,0.000).There is no significant difference between sputum culture negtive and positive of the observation group with PCT and CRP levels (t =-0.146,-0.131,P =-0.885,0.896).In the observation group patients discharged within 1 year,the times of acute exacerbation is positively correlated with CRP and PCT levels(r =0.446,0.376,P =0.011,0.034).After discharge from the hospital,the distance acute exacerbation next number of days with CRP levels are negatively correlated (r =-0.502,P=0.006); with the PCT,there is no significant correlation (r =-0.130,P =0.500).In addition,there are significant difference of CRP levels between the first acute exacerbation after discharge in and out of the first three months(t =2.368,P =0.024),and no significant difference for PCT (t =0.392,P =0.698).Conclusions The inflammatory reaction in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD is enhanced.Marker levels have significant correlation with clinical prognosis.Determination of markers plays an important role in the understanding and prognosis of COPD. Key words: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Acute exacerbation; Procalcitonin; C-reactive protein; Acute exacerbation times