Early procalcitonin determination in the emergency department and clinical outcome of community-acquired pneumonia in old and oldest old patients

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a frequent cause of morbidity in the adult population, with a mortality rate reaching 20% of hospitalized patients [1]. A diagnosis of CAP is given to 5-12% of adults with symptoms of lower respiratory tract infections presenting to general practice clinics [[2],[3]]; of these, 22-42% are subsequently admitted to hospital [[3],[4]].