Abstract
Background:
The induction of C-reactive Protein (CRP) may be attenuated by corticosteroids, whereas Procalcitonin (PCT) appears to be unaltered. We investigated, whether in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) a combined antibiotic-corticosteroid therapy may actually lead to different slopes of decline of these inflammatory markers.
Patients and Methods:
We studied the slopes of decline of PCT and CRP serum levels during 7 consecutive days as well as clinical parameters in a group of patients with CAP on or off corticosteroids. Patients with underlying COPD received systemic corticosteroids (n = 10), while non-COPD patients (n = 10) presenting with CAP alone formed the control group. All patients were treated with antibiotics.
Results:
At baseline, relevant clinical and laboratory characteristics of the two groups were similar. Regarding the decreasing shapes of the curves from PCT and CRP, no significant differences were found (p-value = 0.48 for the groups for CRP, respectively 0.64 for PCT). All patients showed an uneventful recovery.
Conclusion:
In patients with COPD and CAP, the time courses over 7 days of PCT and CRP showed a nearly parallel decline compared to non-COPD patients with CAP. Contrary to the induction phase, corticosteroids do not modify the time-dependent decay of PCT and CRP when the underlying infectious disease (CAP) is adequately treated.
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Perren, A., Cerutti, B., Lepori, M. et al. Influence of Steroids on Procalcitonin and C-reactive Protein in Patients with COPD and Community-acquired Pneumonia. Infection 36, 163–166 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-007-7206-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-007-7206-5