Biomarkers

C-reactive protein (CRP) | 10 studies | 5,191 individuals
Among 15 studies assessing CRP, 10 studies were available for meta-analysis, exploring the following cut-off values: >10 mg/L, >20 mg/L, >50 mg/L, >100 mg/L.

The CRP showed a diagnostic accuracy substantially varying by threshold from 52% (CI, 34% to 69%) to 90% (CI, 67% to 98%) in sensitivity and from 42% (CI, 26% to 60%) to 91% (CI, 82% to 96%) in specificity.

Selecting a CRP cut-off >50 mg/L (6 studies; 4,505 patients) the observed sensitivity and specificity were 75% (CI, 53% to 89%) and 75% (CI, 57% to 87%), respectively.

Procalcitonin test (PCT) | 7 studies | 4,164 individuals
PCT diagnostic performance was assessed at the following cut offs: >0.1 mcg/L, >0.25 mcg/L, >0.5 mcg/L.4. PCT sensitivity ranged from 44% (CI, 14% to 79%) to 74% (CI, 38% to 93 and specificity from 74% (CI, 36% to 94%) to 93% (CI, 43% to 100%). PCT>0,1 mcg/L (4 studies; 1,092 patients) showed a sensitivity of 74% (CI, 38% to 93%) and a specificity of 74% (CI, 36% to 94%).

Meta-analysis results visualisation
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Forest plot and QUADAS evaluation
Abbreviations
  • ROC: receiver operating characteristic curve
  • CI: confidence interval
  • CRP: C-reactive protein
  • PCT: Procalcitonin test
  • WBC: White Blood Count