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Abstract
Background Recently, presepsin (soluble CD14-subtype) and procalcitonin are reported as a good diagnostic markers of bacterial infection, especially sepsis. However, their utility in patients with connective tissue diseases (CTDs) has been unknown.
Objectives To assess the diagnostic value of presepsin and procalcitonin in patients with CTDs.
Methods We enrolled the consecutive patients with CTDs, who checked the level of procalcitonin and/or presepsin during January to September, 2016, retrospectively. We divided two groups; the infection group and non-infectious group. Infection was diagnosed by symptoms, micro-bacterial methods and the good response to antibiotics. The data analysis were assessed using IBM SPSS statistics 22.
Results Eighty-four patients with CTDs were enrolled, including 42 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The level of procalcitonin was evaluated in all patients, and the level of presepsin was in 48 patients. Thirty-six patients were classified in infection group; 38 patients in the CRP-positive non-infection group; and 10 patients in CRP-negative non-infection group. The level of presepsin was significant higher in infection group than CRP-positive non-infection group (693 +/- 577 pg/mL vs. 250 +/- 101 pg/mL, p<0.01) (Fig. 1). Among the patients with RA, the level of presepsin was significant higher in infection group than non-infection group (809 +/- 637 pg/mL vs. 233 +/- 135 pg/mL, p<0.01). AUCs of procalcitonin (0.823) and presepsin (0.821) showed similar diagnostic value. The cut-off value of presepsin and procalcitonin were 265 pg/mL and 0.16 ng/mL, respectively (sensitivity: 78.3% and 82.6%, specificity: 76.0% and 76.0%).
Conclusions Procalcitonin and presepsin may be of diagnostic value for bacterial infection in patients with CTDs, especially may distinguish bactrial infection from active phase in patients with CTDs.
Disclosure of Interest None declared