Which is the most effective inflammatory marker in the diagnosis, severity and treatment follow-up of patients with pneumonia?

Abstract

We investigated the efficiency of leukocyte, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), neutrophil / lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet / lymphocyte ratio (PLR) on the diagnosis, severity of the disease, and response to treatment in patients with pneumonia. Sixty patients who were treated with pneumonia were included. CURB-65 and PSI scores were evaluated. CRP, PCT, uric acid values, leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet, NLR and PLR levels were measured at the 1st, 3rd and 7th days. There was a positive correlation between leucocyte, neutrophil, NLR, PCT and uric acid levels on the 1st day with CURB-65 score and PSI score. No correlation was found between the CURB-65 score and the PSI score, and CRP, platelet and PLR on the 1st day. Decrease in CRP, PCT, leukocyte, neutrophil and NLR levels and increase in the levels of lymphocytes and platelets were found to be statistically significant at the 3rd and 7th days of treatment. It was seen that NLR showed a significant correlation with PSI score, leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, CRP, PCT and uric acid. It was observed that PCT, which was frequently used in the detection severity of patients with pneumonia and in the treatment follow-up, was correlated with NLR and CRP. Although there was no significant relationship between CURB-65 and PSI scores and CRP, there was a significant relationship between NLR and these scores. Leukocyte, NLR, CRP and PCT were found to be very useful in the follow-up of treatment response. Considering that PCT causes a higher cost than other measurements, it is concluded that CRP and especially NLR which is cheaper and reproducible, can be preferred.