Serum procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in early diagnosis of acute kidney injury after upper urinary tract calculi

Objective: To investigate the value of serum procalcitonin(PCT), C-reactive protein(CRP), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin(NGAL) in the early diagnosis of acute kidney injury(AKI) after upper urinary tract calculi(UUTC).

Methods: The clinical data of 86 patients who underwent UUTC surgery in our hospital from March 2020 to April 2021 were analyzed retrospectively(Approval number: 20211205L, Date: 2021-12-21). Patients were divided into an AKI group (AKI≥7 days after the operation) and a Non-AKI group. PCT, CRP, and NGAL concentrations were compared before and two hours after the operation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors affecting the early occurrence of AKI post-operation. The receiver operating characteristic curve evaluated PCT, CRP, and NGAL in the early AKI diagnosis.

Results: A total of 86 patients (30 with AKI and 56 with Non-AKI) were included. Kidney injury molecule-1(KIM-1) and urinary microalbumin(mAlb) concentrations were significantly higher in the AKI group (P<0.05). PCT, CRP, and NGAL concentrations were significantly higher two hours after the operation than before the operation (P<0.05). KIM-1 levels and elevated PCT, CRP and NGAL concentrations affected the establishment of AKI after UUTC. The sensitivity of PCT, CRP, and NGAL in evaluating AKI after UUTC were 81.17%, 84.42%, and 79.02%; the specificity was 62.31%, 71.48%, and 73.32%; and the AUC was 0.812, 0.885 and 0.804 respectively.

Conclusions: PCT, CRP, and NGAL concentrations in patients with AKI after UUTC were significantly increased two hours after the operation, which can be used for the early diagnosis of AKI after UUTC operation.