Objective: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) exhibits a spectrum of clinical conditions, ranging from mild upper respiratory tract disease to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), with hyperinflammation playing a pivotal role in the development of ARDS. Procalcitonin (PCT) serves as a biomarker indicating hyperinflammation. Our study aimed to assess the correlation between serum PCT levels and disease severity, as well as in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients.
Material and Methods:The study included patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in our clinic between November 2020 and March 2021. Demographic characteristics, vital signs, comorbidities, and laboratory parameters on the admission day were recorded. Patients were categorized into non-severe and severe COVID-19 based on disease severity. Serum PCT values were compared between these groups. Additionally, patients were further divided into discharged and in-hospital mortality groups, with serum PCT values compared between these subgroups.Results: Out of 137 patients, 78 (57%) had severe COVID-19, and in severe cases, PCT values were significantly higher compared to the non-severe group (p<0.001). Twenty patients (14.6%) died during hospitalization, and in the in-hospital mortality group, PCT values were significantly elevated compared to the discharged group (p=0.014). Using a serum PCT value cut-off >0.12 to predict mortality yielded a sensitivity of 70%, specificity of 56.41%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 21.54%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 91.67%. For predicting disease severity, a PCT value cut-off >0.124 resulted in a sensitivity of 44.87%, specificity of 27.12%, PPV of 44.87%, and NPV of 27.12%.
Conclusion:Our study establishes a connection between elevated PCT levels in COVID-19 patients and increased mortality and disease severity. Monitoring serum PCT levels during hospitalization may aid clinicians in the early identification of potentially severe cases.