Table 2.
Comparison of serum PCT, LDH levels, CRP, and WBC according to types of pneumonia, fever duration before and after admission, and hospital stay length
| Variable | PCT (ng/mL) | P value | LDH (IU/L) | P value | CRP (mg/dL) | P value | WBC (/mm3) | P value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type of pneumonia | ||||||||
| Broncho (n=32) | 0.04 (0.02–0.06) | 0.22 | 306±54 | 0.55 | 0.89 (0.60–2.36) | 0.01 | 8,251±3,412 | 0.64 |
| Segmental/lobar (n=115) | 0.05 (0.03–0.1) | 314±70 | 2.54 (1.10–4.21) | 8,536±3,010 | ||||
| Number of lobes | ||||||||
| 1 (n=102) | 0.05 (0.03–0.10) | 0.34 | 313±69 | 0.49 | 2.48 (1.04–4.18) | 0.19 | 8,454±3,045 | 0.40 |
| ≥2 (n=13) | 0.08 (0.04–0.10) | 327±79 | 3.26 (1.66–5.31) | 9,197±2,596 | ||||
| Effusion | ||||||||
| No effusion (n=142) | 0.05 (0.03–0.09) | 0.64 | 307±58 | 0.00 | 1.98 (0.76–3.81) | 0.43 | 8,474±3,127 | 0.99 |
| Effusion (n=5) | 0.07 (0.04–0.10) | 460±126 | 3.9 (1.78–4.04) | 8,488±2,095 | ||||
| Duration of fever before admission (day) | ||||||||
| ≤3 (n=30) | 0.04 (0.02–0.08) | 0.29 | 283±43 | 0.01 | 2.19 (0.76–4.31) | 0.82 | 8,096±2,776 | 0.01 |
| >3 (n=117) | 0.05 (0.03–0.09) | 319±70 | 1.88 (0.85–3.72) | 9,948±3,806 | ||||
| Duration of fever after admission (day) | ||||||||
| ≤3 (n=77) | 0.04 (0.02–0.07) | 0.01 | 317±61 | 0.39 | 1.4 (0.6–3.57) | 0.03 | 8,694±3,388 | 0.36 |
| >3 (n=70) | 0.06 (0.04–0.11) | 307±73 | 2.60 (1.13–4.31) | 8,232±2,734 | ||||
| Hospital stay (day) | ||||||||
| ≤6 (n=55) | 0.04 (0.02–0.07) | 0.02 | 312±50 | 0.94 | 1.15 (0.6–2.64) | 0.01 | 8,434±3,588 | 0.90 |
| >6 (n=92) | 0.06 (0.03–0.11) | 312±76 | 2.93 (1.17–4.68) | 8,498±2,775 |
Values are presented as median (interquartile range) or mean±standard deviation.
PCT, procalcitonin; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; CRP, C-reactive protein; WBC, white blood cell.