D-dimer levels in assessing severity and clinical outcome in patients with community-acquired pneumonia. A secondary analysis of a randomised clinical trial.

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D-dimer levels in assessing severity and clinical outcome in patients with community-acquired pneumonia. A secondary analysis of a randomised clinical trial.

Eur J Intern Med. 2012 Jul;23(5):436-41

Authors: Snijders D, Schoorl M, Schoorl M, Bartels PC, van der Werf TS, Boersma WG

Abstract

BACKGROUND: D-dimer levels are in several studies elevated in patients with CAP. In this study we assess the use of D-dimer levels and its association with severity assessment and clinical outcome in patients hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia.

METHODS: In a subset of randomised trial patients with community-acquired pneumonia serial D-dimer levels was analysed. CURB-65 scores were calculated at admission.

RESULTS: A total of 147 patients were included. D-dimer levels at admission were higher in patients with severe CAP (2166ñ1258 versus1630ñ1197üg/l, p=0.03), with clinical failure at day 30 (2228ñ1512 versus 1594ñ1078üg/l, p=0.02) and with early failure (2499ñ1817üg/l versus 1669ñ1121üg/l, p=0.01). Non-survivors had higher D-dimer levels (3025ñ2105 versus 1680ñ1128üg/l, p=0.05). None of the 16 patients with D-dimer levels<500üg/l died. In multivariate analysis D-dimer levels were not associated with clinical outcome. D-dimer levels have poor accuracy for predicting clinical outcome at day 30 (AUC 0.62, 95% CI 0.51-0.73) or 30day mortality (AUC 0.71 (95% CI 0.51-0.91)). Addition of D-dimer levels to CURB-65 did not increase accuracy. No differences were observed in serial D-dimer levels between patients with clinical success or failure at day 30.

CONCLUSION: D-dimer levels are elevated in patients with CAP. Significantly higher D-dimer levels are found in patients with clinical failure and with severe CAP. D-dimer levels as single biomarker or as addition to the CURB-65 have no added value for predicting clinical outcome or mortality. D-dimer levels<500üg/l may identify candidates at low risk for complications.

PMID: 22726372 [PubMed - in process]

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