Procalcitonin as a prognostic factor in severe acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
OBJECTIVE
Little is known about the value of procalcitonin in predicting mortality in patients with an exacerbation of COPD. This study evaluated the clinical and biological predictors of intensive care unit (ICU) mortality in patients with a severe acute exacerbation of COPD.


METHODS
A prospective observational cohort study was conducted of consecutive patients with severe acute exacerbation of COPD requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. At ICU admission, data were collected on the patients' clinical condition, blood leukocyte count, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin. Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the risk factors for ICU mortality.


RESULTS
One hundred and sixteen patients were included in this study. Mean age was 67 years. The mean simplified acute physiology score was 43. Sixty-five per cent of study patients had chronic respiratory insufficiency. Bacteria were cultured at levels considered significant in 36% of study patients. Logistic organ dysfunction score (hazard ratio (95% CI) = 1.19 (1.03-1.37), P = 0.013), rapidly fatal underlying disease (3.33 (1.40-7.87), P = 0.003) and procalcitonin level (1.01 (1-1.03), P = 0.018) were independently associated with increased risk for ICU mortality. Non-invasive mechanical ventilation use before intubation was independently associated with reduced risk for ICU mortality (0.34 (0.14-0.84), P = 0.020).


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with severe acute exacerbation of COPD requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation, logistic organ dysfunction score, rapidly fatal underlying disease and procalcitonin are independently associated with increased risk for ICU mortality. Non-invasive mechanical ventilation use before intubation was independently associated with reduced risk for ICU mortality.
Rammaert
Blandine
B
Intensive Care Unit, Calmette Hospital, Lille University, Lille cedex, France.
Verdier
Nicolas
N
Cavestri
Béatrice
B
Nseir
Saad
S
D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000097:blood*; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D015415:Biomarkers; C000606589:CALCA protein, human; D011498:Protein Precursors; D002116:Calcitonin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide