Use of serum C reactive protein and procalcitonin concentrations in addition to symptoms and signs to predict pneumonia in patients presenting to primary care with acute cough: diagnostic study.

Journal article

OBJECTIVES: To quantify the diagnostic accuracy of selected inflammatory markers in addition to symptoms and signs for predicting pneumonia and to derive a diagnostic tool. DESIGN: Diagnostic study performed between 2007 and 2010. Participants had their history taken, underwent physical examination and measurement of C reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin in venous blood on the day they first consulted, and underwent chest radiography within seven days. SETTING: Primary care centres in 1...

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Authors: van Vugt, S; Broekhuizen, B; Lammens, C; Zuithoff, N; de Jong, P

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: BMJ (Clinical research ed.)
• Volume: 346
• Issue: 7909
• Pages: f2450
• Publication date: 2013-01-01
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.f2450
• EISSN: 1756-1833
• ISSN: 0959-8138
• Language: English
• Keywords: Pneumonia; Lung; Prevalence; Cough; C-Reactive Protein; Adult; Biological Markers; Likelihood Functions; Male; Calcitonin; Single-Blind Method; Cross-Sectional Studies; Aged; Decision Support Techniques; Protein Precursors; Primary Health Care; GRACE consortium; Risk Assessment; Humans; ROC Curve; Acute Disease; Middle Aged; Female; Medical History Taking; Logistic Models; Physical Examination; Severity of Illness Index