Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2025
Evaluation of a Reliable Biomarker in a Cecal Ligation and Puncture-Induced Mouse Model of Sepsis
Published on: December 9, 2022
The procalcitonin-to-cortisol ratio is a potential prognostic predictor in sepsis with abdominal source: a
Hui Liu1, Jie Hu1, Jian-Guo Xiao1
1Department of Critical Care Medicine, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.
Background:
The aim of the study was to investigate the procalcitonin-to-cortisol ratio (P/C ratio) as a prognostic predictor among septic patients with abdominal source.
Methods:
We retrospectively enrolled 132 post-surgery patients between 18 and 90 years old with sepsis of the abdominal source. On the second day of sepsis onset, cortisol, procalcitonin (PCT), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, C-response protein (CRP), and other baseline characteristics were collected. In addition, the length of ICU stay, length of mechanical ventilation (MV) days, length of shock days, and 28-day mortality were also recorded. Univariate analysis was performed to screen potential risk factors. Stratified analysis was used to identify the interaction among the risk factors. Multivariate analysis was also utilized to demonstrate the relationship between the risk factors and mortality. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was conducted to evaluate the risk factors. A restricted cubic spline (RCS) demonstrated the association between survival outcome and the P/C ratio variation.
Results:
A total of twenty-nine patients died, and 103 patients survived within 28 d. There were significant differences in cortisol, PCT, P/C ratio, interleukin (IL)-6, SOFA, and APACHE II scores between the survival and non-survival groups. No significant interaction was observed in the stratified analysis. Logistic regression analysis revealed that P/C ratio (P=0.033) was significantly related to 28-day mortality. Based on ROC curves, P/C ratio (AUC=0.919) had a higher AUC value than cortisol or PCT. RCS analysis depicted a positive relationship between survival possibility and P/C ratio decrement.
Conclusion:
P/C ratio might be a potential prognostic predictor in septic patients with abdominal sources.
