Procalcitonin Level Evaluation for Prediction of Sepsis-Associated Mortality Rate in a Subset of Karachi Population

Procalcitonin (PCT) has been recognized as a crucial biomarker in the diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis, as it reflects the body's response to infection. Objective: To identify the association of procalcitonin level for the prediction of sepsis-associated mortality rate in a subset of the Karachi population. Methods: It was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted at Ziauddin Medical College with approval of the ERC. The sample size was n=130. The set inclusion criteria were patients in whom sepsis was suspected, who given consent to participate in the study, and were within the range of 18-60 years. The exclusion criteria were patients from other hospitals, patients with malignancies and known ischemic heart diseases, patients with thyroid disorders, patients who had leukopenia, and patients who did not give consent to participate in the study. The data were collected through a pre-developed questionnaire, which included questions regarding demographics, presenting complaint, PCT levels at the time of admission, and outcome as positive (recovered) or negative (died). The minimum PCT levels considered as negative were 0.1 – 0.25ng/mL, if the outcome seemed to be positive. Results: Most of the patients with sepsis had 4-6 ng/mL of PCT levels. The increased mortality was found to be significantly associated with high levels of PCT, specifically in patients having PCT 6-8 ng/mL and greater than 8 ng/mL. Conclusions: High PCT levels can predict the outcome of sepsis; PCT levels more than 6 were associated with a high mortality rate in a subset of the Karachi population.