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Diagnostic Accuracy of Infection Biomarkers in the Initial Investigation of Patients With Suspected Pneumonia

Completed
Conditions
Pneumonia, Bacterial
Interventions
Diagnostic Test: PCT
Diagnostic Test: suPAR
Diagnostic Test: Standard care
Registration Number
NCT04652167
Lead Sponsor
University of Southern Denmark
Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of C-reactive protein (CRP), serum procalcitonin (PCT) and soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) in the initial investigation of patients acute hospitalized with suspected community-acquired-pneumonia (CAP)

Detailed Description

Target pneumonia treatment should be initiated within a few hours, which is why early and accurate diagnosis is extremely important. Uncertain or delayed diagnosis will often lead to an overconsumption of broad-spectrum antibiotics, which contributes to increased development of resistant bacteria and thus threaten the treatment options of the future. Pneumonia diagnosis is primarily made today on the basis of clinical symptoms and findings in the form of cough, vomiting, chest pain, fever, shortness of breath, supplemented with X-ray of the lungs, relevant blood tests and analysis of expectoration. However, X-ray is an imprecise diagnostic tool. The diagnosis of CAP is challenged by nonspecific symptoms, uncertain diagnostic methods and waiting time for test results up to several days.

Therefore, numerous studies have investigated biomarkers that can possibly support the diagnosis of CAP. C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum procalcitonin (PCT) are biomarkers that may distinguish CAP from other causes of acute respiratory infections. The CRP biomarker has been endorsed as a guide for antibiotic treatment by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and PCT was suggested by the American Infectious Diseases Society of America. Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) has emerged as a potentially novel biomarker for inflammatory diseases including pneumonia. Several studies have highlighted suPAR as a significant prognostic mortality marker and strongly related to disease severity and worse outcome in a variety of conditions. It is also a promising biological marker in the diagnosis of CAP.

The diagnostic value of the optimal biomarkers for the diagnosis of CAP remains controversial. The investigators hypothesize that serum CRP, PTC and suPAR have an impact on diagnosing, prognosis, and treatment of patients with a verified community-acquired-pneumonia. The objectives of the study are:

* To identify the diagnostic accuracy of CRP, PCT and suPAR in community-acquired pneumonia

* To identify the prognostic value of CRP, PCT and suPAR in relation to adverse events

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
411
Inclusion Criteria
  • Adult patients ≥ 18 years old
  • Patients suspected with pneumonia by the attending physician. The physician will base his/her suspicion on e.g. clinical symptoms such as cough, increased sputum production, chest tightness, dyspnea and fever > 38⁰C, and indication for chest x-ray
Exclusion Criteria
  • If the attending physician considers that participation will delay a life-saving treatment or patient needs direct transfer to the intensive care unit.
  • Admission within the last 14 days
  • Verified COVID-19 disease within 14 days before admission
  • Pregnant women
  • Severe immunodeficiencies: Primary immunodeficiencies and secondary immunodeficiencies (HIV positive CD4 <200, Patients receiving immunosuppressive treatment (ATC L04A), Corticosteroid treatment (>20 mg/day prednisone or equivalent for >14 days within the last 30 days), Chemotherapy within 30 days)

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Patients suspected of community-acquired pneumoniaPCTAll patients admitted to the emergency department with suspected community- acquired pneumonia by the attending physician
Patients suspected of community-acquired pneumoniaStandard careAll patients admitted to the emergency department with suspected community- acquired pneumonia by the attending physician
Patients suspected of community-acquired pneumoniasuPARAll patients admitted to the emergency department with suspected community- acquired pneumonia by the attending physician
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Diagnostic of community acquired pneumoniaexpert assessment within 3 months after patient discharge from the hospital

The percentage of patients diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia determined by an expert panel. This outcome measure is a binary variable - verified pneumonia or no pneumonia.

The expert panel consists of two independent consultants from the emergency department with experience in infection and emergency medicine, who individually will determine whether the patient admitted with suspected community-acquired pneumonia, had the diagnosis. The diagnosis will be based on all available relevant information from the patient medical record within 48 hours from admission including computed tomography. A standardized template will be used. Disagreement will be discussed until a consensus is reached.

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Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Intensive care unit (ICU) treatmentwithin 60 days from admission to the emergency department

Transfer to the intensive care unit will be recorded during the current hospitalization as a binary variable (transferred/not-transferred)

Readmissionwithin 30 days from the discharge to the hospital

If a subject is admitted over a 30 day period after the current hospitalization discharge measured as a binary outcome Re-admissions/not re-admissions

Length of hospital stay (LOSwithin 60 days from current admission to the emergency department

Defined as the time (in days) spent in hospital during the current admission. Measured in days from admission to hospital discharge. Discharge date minus admission date.

90-days mortality90 days from the admission to the emergency department

Mortality within 90 days from admission to the Emergency Department

30-days mortality30 days from the admission to the emergency department

Mortality within 30 days from admission to the Emergency Department

In-hospital mortalitywithin 60 days from admission to the emergency department

Patient mortality during the current hospitalization. Binary outcome - Died/ Not died

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hospital of Southern Jutland

🇩🇰

Aabenraa, Denmark

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