A study to evaluate the role of procalcitonin as a sepsis marker among elderly population

 

 

Abstract              Background: Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response secondary to an acute infection. The incidence of sepsis and mortality due to it has increased, particularly in older adults above 60yrs of age and is one of the leading causes of mortality in them. More than 50% of the population with severe sepsis is over 65 yrs. old. Since there is a worldwide increase in aging population, the incidence of sepsis is also expected to raise. Objective: To estimate the significance of procalcitonin as a biomarker in the diagnosis of sepsis in elderly patients. Methodology: The present prospective study was done by the department of General Medicine at Gadag Institute of medical Sciences, Gadag from March 2020 to July 2021.A total of 50 study subjects aged more than 60 who were admitted in the hospital for sepsis and who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Results: There is a significant rise in serum procalcitonin based on the severity of sepsis, patients with septic shock showing a higher level of procalcitonin compared to those with severe sepsis. In our study serum procalcitonin was significantly raised in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock Increased serum procalcitonin was strongly related to mortality The relation between serum procalcitonin and mortality was statistically significant. Conclusion: Increased procalcitonin level at admission is a better predictor of organ dysfunction and mortality in elderly patients and its prognostic value in elderly patients is much better when compared to other markers of sepsis including CRP.

Keywords: Procalcitonin, Sepsis, Elderly, Serum Markers, Mortality