Evaluation of Serum Levels of Procalcitonin and C-Reactive Protein as Prognostic Indicators in Burns.

Burn is a leading cause of fatality in a developing country. C-reactive protein levels (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) can be prognostic indicators for the burn patients' mortality. To assess serial levels of serum PCT and serum CRP as prognostic indicators in burns. In patients admitted with burns, alternate-day serum PCT and CRP were measured from the time of admission until the time of discharge or until survival. The change in trends of CRP and PCT serum levels were studied, and it was then correlated with mortality among these burn patients. The first-day value of serum PCT > 1772 pg/mL and serum CRP > 71 mg/mL or any value of serum PCT > 2163 pg/mL and of serum CRP > 90 mg/L indicate a poor prognosis in burns. The day-1 values of PCT and CRP were significantly higher in nonsurvivors than survivors in burns. The increasing trends of serum PCT and CRP levels are independent predictors of mortality in burns requiring prompt intervention. Rising PCT and CRP level denote poor prognosis in burns with an increased likelihood of death by 4.5 and 23.6 times, respectively.