Does procalcitonin have a role in the pathogenesis of nasal polyp?

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate serum and tissue procalcitonin (PCT) levels in patients with nasal polyps.

METHODS: The study was designed to be prospectively controlled and included 26 patients chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp (CRSwNP) endoscopically diagnosed and as a control group 25 chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyp (CRSsNP). NP specimens, nasal mucosal tissue and venous blood samples of both groups were collected and PCT levels determined by Elisa method. The results were compared statistically.

RESULTS: Serum PCT values were 1319.5 pg/mL in the NP group and 818.8 pg/mL in the control group. The difference between the groups was statistically significant (p = 0.0001). In the NP group, the average PCT value of the polyp tissue was 1521.5 pg/gr, while the mean PCT value of the control group in the nasal mucosa was 414.6 pg/gr. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups (p = 0.0001). The tissue cut-off value of PCT 750 was significant [area under curve 0.940 (0.863-1.00)]. Serum PCT 950 cut-off value was significant [area under curve 0.860 (0.748-0.972)] activity (CI: 95%).

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study of its kind to objectively examine PCT in the polyp and serum of CRSwNP patients. PCT may serve as a diagnostic biomarker in nasal polyps.