ABSTRACT. We examined the value of serum procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) for predicting the survival of patients with early-onset stroke associated pneumonia (EOP). A total of 207 stroke patients were enrolled, and 91 developed EOP. Upon admission, serum PCT, CRP, sTREM-1 levels, clinical pulmonary infection score, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score were all significantly higher in patients with EOP than in those without EOP (P < 0.05). Of the 91 patients who developed EOP, 39 (42.9%) died (non-survivors) within 28 days. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score on admission was significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors (P < 0.05). Serum PCT and sTREM-1 levels were slightly elevated on days 1, 3, and 5 in non-survivors and gradually decreased in survivors. Serum PCT, sTREM-1, and CRP levels were all significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors on days 1, 3, and 5 (P < 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of PCT for predicting the outcome of EOP were 84.6 and 71.2%, the sensitivity and specificity of sTREM-1 were 71.8 and 92.3%, and the sensitivity and specificity of sTREM-1 combined with PCT were 74.4 and 96.2%. Serum PCT combined with sTREM-1 accurately predicted the outcome of EOP patients, and dynamic monitoring of serum PCT and sTREM-1 levels is necessary.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.