Presepsin and procalcitonin as predictors of sepsis based on the new Sepsis-3 definitions in obstructive acute pyelonephritis

BACKGROUND: Acute pyelonephritis (APN) with obstructive uropathy often causes sepsis. Recently, sepsis was redefined using the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, based on the new Sepsis-3 criteria. We investigated predictors for sepsis using this new definition in patients with obstructive APN associated with upper urinary tract calculi. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated patients who were admitted to our hospital for treatment of obstructive APN associated with upper urinary tract calculi. Blood and urine samples were collected before treatment of obstructive APN. Treatment included adequate antimicrobial therapy and emergency drainage to decompress the renal collecting system. We diagnosed sepsis using the new Sepsis-3 definition. We assessed predictors for sepsis by multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were included in this study. Overall, all patients underwent emergency drainage, and 11 (18.0%) patients showed sepsis. There were no significant differences in performance status or comorbidities between sepsis and non-sepsis groups. Platelet count and serum albumin level were significantly lower in the sepsis group than in the non-sepsis group (p = 0.001 and p = 0.016, respectively). Procalcitonin (PCT) and presepsin (PSEP) levels were significantly higher in the sepsis group than in the non-sepsis group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that PCT elevation (OR = 13.12, p = 0.024) and PSEP elevation (OR = 13.13, p = 0.044) were independent predictors for sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: Elevation of PCT and PSEP levels before treatment might predict the development of sepsis in patients with obstructive APN.