Analyzing the capability of PSP, PCT and sCD25 to support the diagnosis of infection in cancer patients with febrile neutropenia.

Background Early diagnosis of infection is essential for the initial management of cancer patients with chemotherapy-associated febrile neutropenia (FN). In this study, we have evaluated two emerging infection biomarkers, pancreatic stone protein (PSP) and soluble receptor of interleukin 2, known as soluble cluster of differentiation 25 (sCD25), for the detection of an infectious cause in FN, in comparison with other commonly used infection biomarkers, such as procalcitonin (PCT). Methods A total of 105 cancer patients presenting to the emergency department were prospectively enrolled. We observed 114 episodes of chemotherapy-associated FN. At presentation, a blood sample was collected for the measurement of PCT, PSP and sCD25. In order to evaluate the discriminatory ability of these markers for the diagnosis of infection, the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curves was calculated. Results Infection was documented in 59 FN episodes. PCT, PSP and sCD25 levels were significantly higher in infected patients. PCT was the biomarker with the highest diagnostic accuracy for infection (AUC: 0.901), whereas PSP and sCD25 showed a similar performance, with AUCs of 0.751 and 0.730, respectively. In a multivariable analysis, PCT and sCD25 were shown to be independently associated with infection. Conclusions Two novel biomarkers, PSP and sCD25, correlated with infection in cancer patients with chemotherapy-associated FN, but neither PSP nor sCD25 improved the performance of PCT. Based on the results obtained, the introduction of these novel biomarkers as a tool for the diagnosis of infection in this patient group is not recommended.

Pancreatic stone protein and soluble CD25 for infection and sepsis in an emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Infection is a common problem in emergency departments (EDs) and is associated with high mortality, morbidity and costs. Identifying infection in ED patients can be challenging. Biomarkers can facilitate its diagnosis, enabling an early management and improving outcomes. In the critical care setting, two emerging biomarkers, pancreatic stone protein (PSP) and soluble CD25 (sCD25), have demonstrated to be useful for diagnosis of sepsis. We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of these biomarkers, in comparison with procalcitonin (PCT), for infection and sepsis in an ED population with suspected infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Through a prospective, observational study, we investigated the utility of serum PCT, PSP and sCD25 levels, measured on admission, for diagnosis of infection and sepsis, defined according to the recently updated for sepsis (Sepsis-3), in patients presenting to the ED for suspected infection. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by using receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: Of the 152 patients enrolled in this study, 129 had a final diagnosis of infection, including 82 with noncomplicated infection and 47 with sepsis. Median PCT, PSP and sCD25 levels were significantly higher in patients with infection and sepsis. The ROC curve analysis revealed a similar diagnostic accuracy for infection (ROC area under the curve (AUC) PCT: 0·904; sCD25: 0·869 and PSP: 0·839) and for sepsis (ROC AUC: PCT: 0·820; sCD25: 0·835 and PSP: 0·872). CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic stone protein and sCD25 perform well as infection and sepsis biomarkers, with a similar performance than PCT, in ED patients with suspected infection. Further larger studies investigating use of PSP and sCD25 are needed.

Reasons for Discontinuation and Adverse Effects of TNFα Inhibitors in a Cohort of Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of anti-tumor necrosis factor α (anti-TNFα) drugs has improved the clinical outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, these drugs may cause adverse effects that motivate a change in or discontinuation of the treatment. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the causes of discontinuation or changes in the dosage regimen in a cohort of patients with RA and AS treated with infliximab, adalimumab, etanercept, and golimumab under clinical practice conditions. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study that included patients with RA or AS treated with anti-TNFα drugs between 2008 and 2013. Changes in the dosage regimen, reasons for treatment discontinuation, and adverse effects were recorded and analyzed. Time to discontinuation was estimated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. RESULTS: A total of 123 patients with RA and 93 patients with AS were treated with anti-TNFα therapy. During the study, 55.3% of RA patients and 41.7% of AS patients had stopped the treatment. The most frequent changes were modifications in the dosing, and the most frequent adverse effects were reactions after the infusion or injection (53.8% and 66.7% in RA and AS, respectively). Drug survival of etanercept in RA (67.9%) is greater than for adalimumab and infliximab, whereas drug survival of infliximab in AS (70.0%) is greater than for etanercept and adalimumab at 5 years, although there were no significant differences ( P = 0.098 in RA and 0.194 in AS). CONCLUSIONS: The main cause of discontinuation of anti-TNFα is therapeutic failure in both diseases. Etanercept and infliximab have the best survival rates in RA and AS, respectively.

Value of lipopolysaccharide binding protein as diagnostic marker of infection in adult cancer patients with febrile neutropenia: comparison with C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and interleukin 6.

PURPOSE: Early detection of infection is essential for initial management of cancer patients with chemotherapy-associated febrile neutropenia in the emergency department. In this study, we evaluated lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) as predictor for infection in febrile neutropenia and compared with other biomarkers previously studied: C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and interleukin (IL)-6. METHODS: A total of 61 episodes of chemotherapy-associated febrile neutropenia in 58 adult cancer patients were included. Serum samples were collected on admission at emergency department and CRP, LBP, PCT, and IL-6 were measured. Patients were classified into fever of unknown origin and infection, including microbiologically and clinically documented infection, groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed for each biomarker for the diagnosis of infection. RESULTS: Thirty-two of the 61 episodes were classified as infection. On admission, CRP, PCT, IL-6, and LBP were significantly increased in patients with infection compared to fever of unknown origin group. Area under the ROC curve (AUC ROC) of CRP, PCT, IL-6, and LBP for discriminating both groups was 0.77, 0.88, 0.82, and 0.82, respectively, without significant difference between them. The combination of IL-6 and PCT or LBP did not lead to a significant improvement of the diagnostic accuracy of PCT or LBP alone. CONCLUSIONS: On admission, LBP has a similar diagnostic accuracy than PCT or IL-6 for the diagnosis of infection and might be used as additional diagnostic tool in adult cancer patients with chemotherapy-associated febrile neutropenia.

The value of lipopolysaccharide binding protein for diagnosis of late-onset neonatal sepsis in very low birth weight infants.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) for diagnosing late-onset neonatal sepsis (LONS) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. STUDY DESIGN: Observational, prospective study. We assessed the diagnostic performance of LBP in 26 suspected LONS episodes among 54 patients. Proven and probable LONS episodes were recorded according to established criteria. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to evaluate LBP's ability to predict LONS. RESULTS: LONS was diagnosed in 17 of 26 episodes. LBP levels were significantly higher in confirmed LONS episodes (P<0.001). The area under the curve of LBP was 0.89. A cut-off of 17.5 µg/mL had a sensitivity of 94.1%, a specificity of 77.8%, a positive predictive value of 88.9% and a negative predictive value of 87.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Serum LBP measurement may be useful as an additional tool in the evaluation of suspected LONS in VLBW infants.

Prognostic value of procalcitonin and lipopolysaccharide binding protein in cancer patients with chemotherapy-associated febrile neutropenia presenting to an emergency department.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia are a heterogeneous group with a significant risk of serious medical complications. In these patients, the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) score is the most widely used tool for risk-stratification. The aim of this prospective study was to analyse the value of procalcitonin (PCT) and lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) to predict serious complications and bacteraemia in cancer patients with febrile neutropenia, compared with MASCC score. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected from 111 episodes of febrile neutropenia admitted consecutively to the emergency department. In all of them, MASCC score was calculated and serum samples were collected for measurement of PCT and LBP by well-established methods. The main and secondary outcomes were the development of serious complications and bacteraemia, respectively. RESULTS: A serious complication occurred in 20 (18%) episodes and in 16 (14%) bacteraemia was detected. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC AUC) of MASCC score, PCT and LBP to select low-risk patients were 0.83 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.74 - 0.89), 0.85 (95% CI: 0.77 - 0.91) and 0.70 (95% CI: 0.61 - 0.78), respectively. For bacteraemia, MASCC score, PCT and LBP showed ROC AUCs of 0.74 (95% CI: 0.64 - 0.82), 0.86 (95% CI: 0.78 - 0.92) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.67 - 0.83), respectively. CONCLUSION: A single measurement of PCT performs similarly as MASCC score to predict serious medical complications in cancer patients with febrile neutropenia and can be a useful tool for risk stratification. Besides, low PCT concentrations can be used to rule-out the presence of bacteraemia.

Prognostic performance of pancreatic stone protein in critically ill patients with sepsis.

Aim: To assess the prognostic value for 28-day mortality of PSP in critically ill patients with sepsis. Material & methods: 122 consecutive patients with sepsis were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were collected on admission and day 2. Results: On admission, the combination of PSP and lactate achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC-ROC) of 0.796, similar to sequential organ failure assessment score alone (AUC-ROC: 0.826). On day 2, PSP was the biomarker with the highest performance (AUC-ROC: 0.844), although lower (p = 0.041) than sequential organ failure assessment score (AUC-ROC: 0.923). Conclusion: The combination of PSP and lactate and PSP alone, on day 2, have a good performance for prognosis of 28-day mortality and could help to identify patients who may benefit most from tailored intensive care unit management.

Diagnostic accuracy of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein for sepsis in patients with suspected infection in the emergency department.

Background Biomarkers can facilitate the diagnosis of sepsis, enabling early management and improving outcomes. Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) has been reported as a biomarker for the detection of infection, but its diagnostic value is controversial. In this study, we assessed the diagnostic accuracy of LBP for sepsis in the emergency department (ED) patients, comparing it with more established biomarkers of sepsis, including procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Methods LBP and other sepsis biomarkers, including PCT and CRP, were measured on admission in 102 adult patients presenting with suspected infection . Classification of patients was performed using the recently updated definition for sepsis (Sepsis-3). The diagnostic accuracy of LBP, CRP and PCT for sepsis was evaluated by using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. Results A total of 49 patients were classified as having sepsis. In these patients, median (interquartile range) LBP (41.8 [41.1] µg/dL vs. 26.2 [25] µg/dL), CRP (240 [205] mg/L vs. 160 [148] mg/dL) and PCT (5.19 [13.68] µg/L vs. 0.39 [1.09] µg/L) were significantly higher than in patients classified as not having sepsis ( P < 0.001 for all three biomarkers). ROC curve analysis and area under curve (AUC) revealed a value of 0.701 for LBP, similar to CRP (0.707) and lower than that for PCT (0.844) ( P = 0.012). Conclusion In adult ED patients with suspected infection, the diagnostic accuracy for sepsis of LBP is similar to that of CRP but lower than that of PCT.

[The value of hemoglobin A1c for diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and other changes in carbohydrate metabolism in women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus]. / Utilidad de la hemoglobina A1c en el diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus y otras alteraciones del metabolismo glucídico en mujeres con diabetes mellitus gestacional reciente.

INTRODUCTION: Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have an increased risk for developing diabetes mellitus (DM). Their postpartum metabolic classification using a 75g oral glucose tolerance test (75g OGTT) is recommended. The purpose of this study was to assess the value of hemoglobin A1c for postpartum evaluation in women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-six women with recent GDM underwent a 75g OGTT at our center to assess postpartum changes in carbohydrate metabolism and were classified using diagnostic criteria of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis was used to assess the diagnostic performance of hemoglobin A1c, and kappa index was used to evaluate diagnostic agreement between hemoglobin A1c and 75g OGTT. RESULTS: DM was diagnosed in 7 women, and other categories of increased risk for DM in 25 women. Kappa index for diagnosis agreement was 0,22. Hemoglobin A1c ≥ 5.7% had 47% sensitivity and 71% specificity for identifying any change in carbohydrate metabolism. A hemoglobin A1c value ≥ 6.5 had 29% sensitivity and 100% specificity for diagnosis of DM. Area under the ROC curve was 0.57 for identifying any change in carbohydrate metabolism and 0.81 for diagnosis of DM. CONCLUSION: Using ADA cutoff values, hemoglobin A1c is not appropriate for postpartum glucose tolerance evaluation in women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus.

Utilidad de la procalcitonina para predecir bacteriemia en pacientes oncológicos con fiebre / Usefulness of procalcitonin for predicting bacteremia in cancer patients with fever

Introducción. La bacteriemia es una de las principales causas de morbimortalidad en el paciente con cáncer. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la utilidad de la procalcitonina como marcador predictor de bacteriemia en pacientes oncológicos y oncohematológicos que acudieron al Servicio de Urgencias de nuestro hospital. Material y métodos. Se incluyeron en el estudio 152 episodios de fiebre en 134 pacientes adultos oncológicos. Al ingreso en el Servicio de Urgencias una muestra de sangre fue extraída para la medida de proteína C reactiva (PCR) y procalcitonina (PCT). Los episodios febriles se clasificaron en dos grupos en función de los resultados del hemocultivo: bacteriémicos (n = 22) y no bacteriémicos (n = 130). El rendimiento diagnóstico de los biomarcadores como predictores de bacteriemia fue calculado mediante el análisis del área bajo la curva Receiver Operating Characteristic. Resultados. Las concentraciones de PCT y PCR fueron significativamente más altas en los episodios febriles con bacteriemia que en los no bacteriémicos. La PCT presentó un rendimiento diagnóstico más alto que la PCR como predictor de bacteriemia (área bajo la curva Receiver Operating Characteristic: PCT 0,781 (IC 95%: 0,667 - 0,895) vs. PCR: 0,632 (IC 95%: 0,493 - 0,771); p = 0,02). Un punto de corte de 0,20 ng/mL presentó un valor predictivo negativo de 95,8% para descartar bacteriemia. Conclusión. En el Servicio de Urgencias, la medida de PCT en pacientes oncológicos con fiebre es una herramienta útil para descartar bacteriemia y puede contribuir a la toma inicial de decisiones terapéuticas y a racionalizar la solicitud del hemocultivo (AU)

Aim. Bacteraemia is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of procalcitonin for predicting bacteraemia in febrile oncology and oncohaematology patients admitted to the Emergency Department of our hospital. Material and methods. The study included a total of 152 febrile episodes in 134 adult cancer patients. A blood sample was collected on admission to the Emergency Department to measure C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT). Febrile episodes were classified into two groups according to the blood culture results: bacteraemia episodes (n = 22) and non-bacteraemia episodes (n = 130). Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analysis was performed for each biomarker as a predictor of bacteraemia. Results. PCT and CRP levels were significantly higher in the bacteraemia episodes group when compared with non-bacteraemia episodes group. PCT showed a diagnostic accuracy higher than CRP for predicting bacteraemia (AUC Receiver Operating Characteristic: PCT 0,781 (95% CI: 0,667 - 0,895) vs. CRP: 0,632 (95% CI: 0,493 - 0,771); p = 0,02). A cut-off value of 0,20 ng/mL was associated with a negative predictive value of 95,8% to rule-out bacteraemia. Conclusion. PCT measurement in febrile cancer patients in the Emergency Department is a useful tool to rule-out bacteraemia, and may contribute in initial therapeutic decision making and rationalise the request for blood culture (AU)

Utilidad de la hemoglobina A1c en el diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus y otras alteraciones del metabolismo glucídico en mujeres con diabetes mellitus gestacional reciente / The value of hemoglobin A1c for diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and other changes in carbohydrate metabolism in women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus

Las mujeres con diabetes mellitus gestacional (DMG) previa presentan mayor riesgo de desarrollar diabetes mellitus (DM). En estas mujeres, se recomienda realizar una reclasificación metabólica después del parto. El objetivo de este estudio fue valorar el rendimiento de la hemoglobina A1c para la evaluación postparto en mujeres con DMG reciente y evaluar la concordancia en el diagnóstico de las distintas formas de alteración de la tolerancia a la glucosa con el test de tolerancia con sobrecarga oral de 75g de glucosa (TTOG 75g), método recomendado actualmente para dicha reclasificación. Material y métodos56 mujeres con DMG reciente fueron reclasificadas tras el parto en nuestro centro según los criterios de la Asociación Americana de Diabetes (ADA). Se analizó la concordancia en el diagnóstico entre la hemoglobina A1c y el TTOG 75g y se evaluó el rendimiento de la hemoglobina A1c para el diagnóstico de DM y para la detección de cualquier forma de alteración de tolerancia a la glucosa. Resultados Se diagnosticó DM en 7 mujeres y otras formas de alteración de la tolerancia a la glucosa en 25. El índice kappa de concordancia en el diagnóstico fue de 0,22. Una hemoglobina A1c ≥ 5,7% presentó una sensibilidad de 47% y una especificidad de 71% para identificar cualquier forma de alteración de la tolerancia a la glucosa. Una hemoglobina A1c ≥ 6,5 presentó una sensibilidad de 29% y una especificidad de 100% para el diagnóstico de DM. El área bajo la curva ROC para la detección de cualquier forma de alteración de la tolerancia a la glucosa fue 0,57 y para el diagnóstico de DM de 0,81.ConclusionesLa hemoglobina A1c, empleando los puntos de corte de la ADA, no es apropiada para la reclasificación metabólica de mujeres con antecedente reciente de DMG (AU)

Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have an increased risk for developing diabetes mellitus (DM). Their postpartum metabolic classification using a 75g oral glucose tolerance test (75g OGTT) is recommended. The purpose of this study was to assess the value of hemoglobin A1c for postpartum evaluation in women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus. Patients and methods Fifty-six women with recent GDM underwent a 75g OGTT at our center to assess postpartum changes in carbohydrate metabolism and were classified using diagnostic criteria of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis was used to assess the diagnostic performance of hemoglobin A1c, and kappa index was used to evaluate diagnostic agreement between hemoglobin A1c and 75g OGTT. Results DM was diagnosed in 7 women, and other categories of increased risk for DM in 25 women. Kappa index for diagnosis agreement was 0,22. Hemoglobin A1c ≥ 5.7% had 47% sensitivity and 71% specificity for identifying any change in carbohydrate metabolism. A hemoglobin A1c value ≥ 6.5 had 29% sensitivity and 100% specificity for diagnosis of DM. Area under the ROC curve was 0.57 for identifying any change in carbohydrate metabolism and 0.81 for diagnosis of DM. Conclusion Using ADA cutoff values, hemoglobin A1c is not appropriate for postpartum glucose tolerance evaluation in women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus (AU)