Elevated CRP
July 22nd, 2019
Overview
C-reactive protein is an acute phase protein that is involved in innate immunity, and is responsible for activating the complement pathway.
Normal Range
- <5 mg/L
Causes of Elevated CRP
- Infection - especially bacterial
- Inflammatory disease - e.g. polymyalgia rheumatica, IBD, vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative arthritides
- Tissue necrosis - e.g. myocardial infarction, pancreatic necrosis
Pearls
- Elevated CRP is indicative of an active inflammatory state.
- Serum CRP rises rapidly, with a maximal concentration reached within two days; it falls quickly once inflammation has resolved.
- CRP has little efficacy as a screening tool for inflammation.
- The trend in CRP is useful for monitoring resolution or progression of an inflammatory process.
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