Procalcitonin versus C-reactive protein for predicting pneumonia in adults with lower respiratory tract infection in primary care.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The role of procalcitonin in diagnosing bacterial infection has mainly been studied in patients with severe infections. There is no study on the value of procalcitonin measurements in adults with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) treated in primary care.

Aim

To evaluate the accuracy of plasma procalcitonin in predicting radiographic pneumonia, bacterial infection, and adverse outcome in a population of adults with LRTI treated in primary care.

Design of study

Prospective, observational study.

Setting

Forty-two general practices and an outpatient clinic at the Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.

Method

A total of 364 patients with LRTI were prospectively enrolled from 42 general practices. Patients wer

SUBMITTER: Holm A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2099638 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature