Relationship Between Serum PCT,Pentraxin-3,and Cys-C Levels and Recurrent Diabetic Foot Ulcers

WANG Chongxian; LI Jun

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1004-437X.2026.08.011

Abstract：Objective To explore the correlation between levels of procalcitonin(PCT),pentraxin-3,and cystatin C(Cys-C)and the recurrence of diabetic foot ulcers(DFUs).Methods A total of 207 patients with DFUs treated in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from February 2020 to February 2024 were selected and followed their recurrence status for 4 months.Patients were categorized into recurrence and non-recurrence groups.Severity was graded using the Wagner classification.Serum levels of PCT,pentraxin-3,and Cys-C between the two groups were compared and employed logistic regression to identify factors influencing DFUs recurrence.The clinical value of PCT,pentraxin-3,and Cys-C in predicting DFU recurrence was assessed through receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves and Pairwise comparison tests.Additionally,serum levels of PCT,pentraxin-3,and Cys-C across different Wagner grades of recurrent DFUs were analyzed.Results The recurrence rate of DFUs was 36.60％.Logistic regression analysis identified type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)duration,glycosylated hemoglobin A1e(HbA1c),lesion location(sole),PCT,pentraxin-3,and Cys-C as risk factors for DFU recurrence(P＜0.05),while the diabetes foot self-care behavior scale(DFSBS)score was a protective factor(P＜0.05).Pairwise comparison tests revealed that the area under the curve(AUC)values for the combined measurement of PCT,pentraxin-3,and Cys-C were higher than those for each marker alone(Z=4.126,P＜0.001;Z=3.931,P=0.001;Z=4.491,P＜0.001).There were significant differences in serum levels of PCT,pentraxin-3,and Cys-C among patients with different Wagner grades of recurrent DFUs(P＜0.05).Serum levels of PCT,pentraxin-3,and Cys-C increased with higher Wagner grades(P＜0.05).Conclusion PCT,pentraxin-3,and Cys-C are significant risk factors for DFU recurrence and are associated with disease severity.