Meta-analysis of the diagnostic value of serum procalcitonin for burn sepsis in adults

Y.-J. Zhang, Z.-H. Guo, Z.-G. Ming, Z.-M. Hao, P. Duan

Burns Department, General Hospital of TISCO, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China. xi11zaiyujiao3128@126.com

---

• Radiology

OBJECTIVE: Serum procalcitonin (PCT) reflects the infection status of the organism and the severity of the infection. The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the diagnostic value of serum PCT for burn sepsis in adults and to provide a factual basis for future clinical diagnosis and decision-making.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: On August 16, 2022, six databases were searched in this study and a total of 856 studies were found. The retrieved literature was comprehensively evaluated according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the valid data were extracted and included for analysis. The number of true positives, false positives, true negatives and false negatives were used as indicators to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum PCT for burn sepsis in adults.

RESULTS: In total, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis showed a combined sensitivity of 0.78 (95% CI: 0.69-0.84), a combined specificity of 0.85 (95% CI: 0.77-0.91), a combined positive likelihood ratio of 5.17 (95% CI: 3.25-8.25), a combined negative likelihood ratio of 0.26 (95% CI: 0.19-0.37), and a combined diagnostic ratio of 19.63 (95% CI: 10.17-37.90). The AUC was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.85-0.90).

CONCLUSIONS: Serum PCT provides good early diagnostic benefits for burn sepsis in adults. More high-quality studies are required to clarify its specific early diagnostic value.

Free PDF Download