Procalcitonin and D-dimer for Predicting 28-Day-Mortality Rate and Sepsis Severity based on SOFA Score; A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

<strong>Objective: </strong>To determine the possible relationship of procalcitonin (PCT) and D-dimer with the 28-day-mortality rate and severity of sepsis based on sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score.<br /> <strong>Methods: </strong>In this cross-sectional study, patients were enrolled based on their signs and symptoms of sepsis confirmed by essential laboratory studies. Demographic data, Glasgow coma scale and vital signs, serum PCT and D-dimer levels, creatinine, bilirubin level, arterial blood gas analysis and platelet count were recorded. Disease severity index was assessed based on SOFA score. Patients' 28-day-mortality rate and hospital length of stay were compared with the study variables.<br /> <strong>Results: </strong>Sixty-four patients with the mean age of 78.3±11.6 were included of whom 34 cases (53.1%) were male. The 28-day-mortality rate was 17%. The analysis showed that only patients' age (<em>p</em>=0.01) and platelet count (<em>p</em>=0.02) had a statistically significant association with the mortality rate. SOFA score had no statistically significant correlation with PCT or D-dimer; and these two markers didn't have any significant correlation in terms of predicting mortality due to the sepsis.<br /> <strong>Conclusion: </strong>In our study, PCT and D-dimer failed to show any significant correlation with 28-day-mortality rate of sepsis.