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Procalcitonin emerged as a strong diagnostic marker that may boost early SAP detection when combined with predictive models.

A study published in June 2025 issue of BMC Pulmonary Medicine highlighted the importance of early biomarker identification and predictive modeling to address the burden of stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) on recovery and outcomes.  

Researchers assessed the diagnostic performance of procalcitonin (PCT) and other biomarkers for SAP and examined their incorporation into predictive models. 

They searched PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI for studies published up to March 2023. Studies were included if they reported biomarkers for SAP diagnosis and predictive models. Statistical analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.4 and R software, with pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) calculated.  

The results showed that 11 studies, including 1,478 individuals, were analyzed. The PCT levels were significantly higher in those with SAP, especially following ischemic stroke [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 2.89; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.74–4.04]. PCT demonstrated strong diagnostic performance, with a pooled sensitivity of 84%, specificity of 89%, DOR of 48.78, and AUC of 0.91. Compared to C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), PCT showed superior accuracy. Models integrating biomarkers enhanced risk prediction, though variability across studies highlighted a need for standardization.  

Investigators concluded that PCT demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy for SAP, and its integration into predictive models improved early detection and risk assessment. 

Source: bmcpulmmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12890-025-03750-6