Comparison of Serum Levels of Procalcitonin and C-Reactive Protein in Patients with Community Acquired Pneumonia and COPD Exacerbation

Abstract

Background: Pneumonia is an important and commonly occurring disease, with significant morbidity and mortality. Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is associated with a very rapid rise in procalcitonin (PCT), which has been considered a primary marker of bacterial infection. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the serum levels of PCT in patients with CAP and in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: This cross-sectional prospective descriptive study was performed in the emergency department (ED) on patients with CAP and acute exacerbation of COPD. A total of 53 patients were included in this study and their serum levels of PCT and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. Results: The patients included 31 males and 22 females with a mean age of 76.52 +/- 9.93 years and a mean BMI of 25.98 +/- 3.04. The mean PCT level was 0.93 +/- 1.56 in patients with CAP and 0.29 +/- 0.27 in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD; the PCT level was significantly higher in the patients with CAP (P = 0.049). The mean CRP level was 34.00 +/- 12.37 in patients with CAP and 31.66 +/- 11.73 in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD; this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.483). Conclusions: We found statistical differences in PCT levels that would differentiate CAP from acute exacerbation of COPD in the ED setting. Further studies are required to verify this finding.