International journal of clinical practice
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Dec 2013
Review Meta AnalysisDiagnostic value of procalcitonin for bacterial infection in elderly patients - a systemic review and meta-analysis.
To summarise evidence for the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin (PCT) tests for identifying systemic bacterial infections in elderly patients. ⋯ Existing data suggest that PCT tests may add to the diagnosis of sepsis in elderly patients. We did not observe the performance of the PCT test in elderly patients inferior to adult patients. Given the imperfect accuracy, we do not recommend that the PCT test be used in isolation; instead, we suggest that it be interpreted in the context of clinical findings.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Dec 2013
Review Meta AnalysisDiagnostic value of procalcitonin for bacterial infection in elderly patients - a systemic review and meta-analysis.
To summarise evidence for the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin (PCT) tests for identifying systemic bacterial infections in elderly patients. ⋯ Existing data suggest that PCT tests may add to the diagnosis of sepsis in elderly patients. We did not observe the performance of the PCT test in elderly patients inferior to adult patients. Given the imperfect accuracy, we do not recommend that the PCT test be used in isolation; instead, we suggest that it be interpreted in the context of clinical findings.