Evaluation of Presepsin as an Early Biomarker of Sepsis in Elderly Patients with Community-acquired Pneumonia.

Pneumonia is the most prevalent cause of sepsis. Early detection of sepsis is essential. Presepsin is an emerging biomarker. To analyze the diagnostic efficacy of presepsin for identifying sepsis and evaluate its predictive accuracy, a study was conducted for 18 months involving 100 elderly (≥60 years) patients diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and fulfilling the Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) criteria. Clinical details were recorded, and the quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score was calculated. Presepsin values were determined and correlated with culture findings. All patients were divided into two groups: the diagnostic group (based on culture findings) and the prognostic group (based on clinical outcome). Subgroups of the diagnostic group were culture-proven and culture-sterile, and those of the prognostic group were survivors and nonsurvivors. Presepsin values were higher in culture-proven patients and nonsurvivors. Presepsin and qSOFA scores correlated positively. Presepsin can be used to predict mortality from sepsis in addition to being a superior biomarker for predicting bacteremia.