The Comparison Between Procalcitonin And C-reactive Protein In Patients Receiving Dialysis Associated With Infection

Objective To prospectively measure the levels of Procalcitonin and C-reactive protein in patients receiving dialysis and assess their significance in patients receiving dialysis associated with infection. In this study we compared these two factors in order to find out which one is more sensitive and specified when they are used to predict the occurrence of infection in those patients. We also evaluated the risk of incurring infection in haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients by comparing the values of Procalcitonin and C-reactive protein of these two groups. Methods 42 patients on maintenance haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into infected and non-infected groups. Blood samples were obtained prior to the start of dialysis. PCT concentrations were measured by immunoluminometric assay and CRP concentrations were measured by nephlometric technique. Result 1.The serum concentrations of PCT and CRP were significantly higher in infected group than those in non-infected group (P＜0.05). 2.There was significant correlation between serum PCT and CRP(r=0.68, P＜0.05). 3.The Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (ROC) showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for PCT and CRP was 0.786 and 0.724 respectively. The AUC for PCT was higher. 4. There was no significant difference of infection incidence between haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients(P＞0.05). Conclusions 1. Both PCT and CRP levels were higher in infected patients undergoing dialysis. The cut-off value of infection for PCT was 1.5ng/mL, and 9.75mg/L for CRP. 2. As a diagnostic factor for infection in patients with dialysis, PCT is more sensitive and specified than CRP. 3.Patients undergoing dialysis with the elevation of PCT as well as CRP are more likely to contract infection.4. The risk of contracting infection between haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients is not significantly different. PCT can be used as a factor for surveillance of infection in patients receiving dialysis.