Table 4.
Combined multivariable models for association of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein with bacterial coinfection by septic shock, non-respiratory SOFA and symptoms timing
| Variables | Adjusted OR (95% CI)a | p value |
|---|---|---|
| Septic shock (N = 94) | ||
| Procalcitonin ≥ 0.11 ng/mLb | 81.10 (1.71–3850.77) | 0.026 |
| C-reactive protein ≥ 100 mg/Lb | 1.41 (0.01–197.54) | 0.892 |
| Non-respiratory SOFA score ≥ 2 (N = 1, 325) | ||
| Procalcitonin ≥ 0.12 ng/mLb | 0.92 (0.44 to 1.93) | 0.828 |
| C-reactive protein ≥ 107 mg/Lb | 2.27 (1.08–4.75) | 0.030 |
| Early symptoms (< 3 days) (N = 371) | ||
| Procalcitonin ≥ 0.44 ng/mLb | 14.97 (0.96–234.03) | 0.054 |
| C-reactive protein ≥ 58 mg/Lb | 1.62 (0.08–31.51) | 0.750 |
| Late symptoms (≥ 3 days) (N = 3667) | ||
| Procalcitonin ≥ 0.11 ng/mLb | 1.08 (0.62–1.87) | 0.783 |
| C-reactive protein ≥ 100 mg/Lb | 1.98 (0.9–4.36) | 0.092 |
Mixed-effects models with center variable as a random effect. Data are shown as estimated ORs (95% CIs) of the explanatory variables in the bacterial coinfection group. The p value is based on the null hypothesis that all ORs relating to an explanatory variable equal unity (no effect). p values marked in bold indicate numbers that are statistically significant on the 95% confidence limit. Area under the ROC curve, AUC for septic shock model = 0.98 (95% CI 0.94–1.00); AUC for non-respiratory SOFA ≥ 2 model = 0.76 (95% CI 0.70–0.82); AUC for early symptoms model = 1.00 (95% CI 0.99–1.00); AUC for late symptoms model = 0.79 (95% CI 0.75–0.83)
aAdjusted for variables (age, sex, BMI, comorbidities, SOFA (without respiratory system component), PaO2/FiO2 ratio at hospital admission, leucocyte count ≥ 11 × 109/L, septic shock, and COVID-19 wave)
bCut-off value obtained from ROC curve for bacterial coinfection (value with a sensitivity of 80%)