Procalcitonin and C-reactive Protein Levels as Biomarkers to Determine Gastrointestinal Involvement in Adult Henoch-Schönlein Purpura Patients

Objective: To investigate the association of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels with gastrointestinal (GI) involvement in adult HSP patients. Method. A retrospective study using clinical data and serum PCT and CRP levels from 121 adult HSP patients was performed. Results: The proportion of male HSP patients with GI involvement was significantly higher compared to patients without GI involvement. PCT and CRP levels in adult HSP patients with GI involvement were higher compared to patients without GI involvement (P < 0.05); Among the patients with GI involvement, those with GI hemorrhage had significant higher PCT and CRP levels (P < 0.05); the median PCT value was lower compared to the threshold value for systemic infection. There was a positive correlation between PCT and CRP levels in HSP patients with GI involvement and GI bleeding (P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the PCT and CRP cutoff levels of 0.07 ng/ml and 29.35 mg/L respectively had optimal diagnostic efficacy for GI bleeding in adult HSP patients. Conclusion: Elevated serum PCT and CRP levels were significantly associated with GI involvement in adult HSP patients, especially for GI bleeding. PCT levels correlated well with CRP levels.