C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

Its Uses:

CRP is a non-specific, acute-phase reactant protein used to diagnose bacterial infectious disease and inflammatory disorders such as acute rheumatic fever and rheumatoid arthritis.

This test is also useful in evaluating patients with an acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Interfering Factors:

• * Elevated results can occur in patients with hypertension, high body mass index, metabolic syndrome/diabetes melitus, chronic infection (gingivitis, bronchitis), chronic inflammation (rheumatoid arthritis), and low HDL levels/high triglycerides.
• * Cigarette smoking can cause increased levels.
• * Decreased levels can result from moderate alcohol consumption, weight loss and increased activity or endurance exercise.
• * Medications that may increase CRP levels include: estrogens and progesterones.
• * Medications that may decrease CRP levels include: fibrates, niacin and statins.

Diagnostic Significance:

Increased CRP levels may suggest:

• •    Acute, non-infectious inflammatory reaction (e.g. arthritis, acute rheumatic fever)
• •    Collagen vascular diseases
• •    Tissue infarction or damage
• •    Bacterial infection such as postoperative wound infection, urinary tract infection or tuberculosis
• •    Malignant disease
• •    Increased risk for cardiovascular ischemic events

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