The Changes And Clinical Implications Of Serum Procalcitonin And High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein In Acute Exacerbations Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Objective:To investigate the changes and clinical implications of serum procalcitonin (PCT) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods: Subjects were divided into two observed groups: AECOPD group included 20 patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and control group included 15 health people. All serum samples were collected for the measurements of PCT (by using chemiluminescence method)and hs-CRP(by using immunoturbidimetric assay). According to the sputum color,the total of AECOPD patients were classified into two groups: purulent sputum group and mucoid sputum group.Results: (1) The levels of PCT for patients of AECOPD group [(2.07±5.57)ng/ ml] were higher than control group [(0.21±0.17)ng/ml ,P<0.05]. The levels of hs-CRP for patients of AECOPD group [(3.66±3.95)mg/L] were significantly higher than control group [(0.49±0.17)mg/L,P<0.001]. (2)The sensitivities of PCT, hs-CRP and WBC count were 75%,40%,40%,respectively;and the specificities were 80%,100%,100%,respectively. The sensitivities of PCT is higher than the sensitivities of hs-CRP and WBC count (P < 0.05).There were no differences in the specificities of PCT,hs-CRP and WBC count(P >0.05).(3)In AECOPD group, there were no differences in the PCT measurement between purulent sputum group (3.72±8.8)ng/ml]and mucoid sputum group [(0.97±1.06) ng/ml),P>0.05]. (4)In AECOPD group, there were no differences in the hs-CRP measurement between purulent sputum group [(4.94±4.60)mg/L] and mucoid sputum group [(2.80±3.38)mg/L),P>0.05].Conclusion: 1.Serum PCT and hs-CRP measurements in patients of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease play a role in the diagnosis of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.2.PCT maybe better than hs-CRP and WBC count in the diagnosis of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.3.The sputum color maybe guide the antibiotic treatment of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.