Adv Skin Wound Care. 2025 May 8. doi: 10.1097/ASW.0000000000000276. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic potential of procalcitonin in identifying osteomyelitis in patients with pressure injuries (PIs).
METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective study of 21 patients with PIs from 2017 to 2022. Inflammatory markers (white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin) and radiologic images were analyzed to determine osteomyelitis presence. Patients were divided into osteomyelitis-positive and osteomyelitis-negative groups, with marker levels compared statistically.
RESULTS: Both C-reactive protein and procacitonin levels were significantly higher in the osteomyelitis group (Ps = .05). Elevated procalcitonin (>0.5) indicated a 10.67 times higher likelihood of osteomyelitis.
CONCLUSIONS: Procalcitonin may serve as a valuable marker for diagnosing osteomyelitis in patients with PIs, aiding in early detection and treatment planning. Further research with larger cohorts is needed to confirm its diagnostic and monitoring potential.
PMID:40341559 | DOI:10.1097/ASW.0000000000000276
