Values for serum procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, and soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 in predicting survival of patients with early-onset stroke-associated pneumonia.

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.