Table 2.
Subgroup analysis on the association between PCT and the severity of COVID-19.
| Subgroup | Number of Study | Pooled Effects (95% CI) | I2 (%) | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All studies | 10 | 1.77 (1.38–2.29) | 85.6 | 0.000 |
| Effect estimate | ||||
| OR | 6 | 1.65 (1.18–2.31) | 75.0 | 0.001 |
| HR | 4 | 2.16 (1.21–3.84) | 92.7 | 0.000 |
| Sex (male, %) | ||||
| ≥55 | 5 | 1.90 (1.28–2.83) | 86.3 | 0.000 |
| <55 | 4 | 1.81 (1.09–3.00) | 89.4 | 0.000 |
| NA | 1 | 9.33 (0.96–90.63) | ||
| Sample size | ||||
| ≥500 | 6 | 2.47 (1.55–3.94) | 86.6 | 0.000 |
| <500 | 4 | 1.16 (0.93–1.45) | 63.4 | 0.042 |
| Outcomes | ||||
| Death | 9 | 1.66 (1.29–2.14) | 85.1 | 0.000 |
| others | 1 | 2.77 (1.57–4.89) | ||
| Age | ||||
| ≥60 | 6 | 1.68 (1.25–2.25) | 82.4 | 0.000 |
| <60 | 3 | 2.73 (0.75–9.88) | 91.6 | 0.000 |
| NA | 1 | 9.33 (0.96–90.63) | ||
| Diabetes | ||||
| 1 | 3 | 1.23 (1.06–1.44) | 50.7 | 0.132 |
| 0 | 7 | 3.20 (1.59–6.45) | 89.6 | 0.000 |
| Hypertension | ||||
| 1 | 3 | 1.40 (0.94–2.08) | 81.9 | 0.004 |
| 0 | 7 | 2.31 (1.52–3.51) | 86.8 | 0.000 |