iarjmsIARJMSIARJMS2708-3594https://doi.org/10.47310/iarjms.2020.v01i02.036Relationship between Serum Procalcitonin Levels in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and In Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Coimbatore Population - An Observational StudyLakshmiCS.ManimekalaiA.VeenaJulietteBackground: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major global health problem and is expected to be the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2020 and about 20% suffer from acute exacerbations. The bacterial infection is one of the causes of exacerbation of COPD patients. Identification of a biomarker that could help in differentiating bacterial respiratory infections in AECOPD patients from stable COPD patients could possibly help to reduce overuse of antibiotics. Objective: To evaluate procalcitonin (PCT) as a biomarker to possibly differentiate AECOPD patients requiring antibiotic treatment from stable COPD patients. Methods: Serum PCT levels of stable COPD patients (n=43) and AECOPD patients (n=43) will be measured using ELISA kit. Results: There was a statistically significant difference (P value <0.001) between AECOPD patients (47.25 ± 2.03 mg/ml) and stable COPD patients (1.10 ± 0.18 mg/ml). At cut point of 5.872 ng/mL, PCT had 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity for predicting AECOPD patients with infections. Conclusions: This study suggests a role for PCT in predicting the bacterial exacerbations in COPD patients. Such study will help in the decision making in antibiotic treatment strategy in AECOPD.