C-reactive protein (CRP, CRP) - commonly referred to as blood, which belongs to the group of acute phase proteins, an increase in the concentration of which indicates an inflammatory process in the body. This protein has found application in clinical diagnostics as an indicator of inflammation (more sensitive than ESR).
What does c-reactive protein mean in blood? CRP is an acute phase protein that is a non-specific indicator of inflammation. When is this protein used?
Main indications for use:
- for the purpose of diagnosing various infectious processes;
- autoimmune conditions;
- in the postoperative period for the purpose of monitoring;
- to evaluate the effectiveness of therapy;
- when assessing the risk of cardiovascular pathologies.
CRP is synthesized by the liver, and is present in the blood of all healthy individuals, in the norm c-reactive protein is contained in an amount of less than 1 μg / ml, in the absence of foci of inflammation.
In most cases, the concentration of CRP in the blood rises after 6 hours from the onset of the inflammatory reaction. In the presence of an inflammatory process of almost any etiology, including tumor and necrotic processes, the amount of protein increases significantly, which is why CRP is considered a nonspecific marker of the inflammatory response.
An increase in reactive protein in the blood can be an early sign of an infectious process, especially bacterial infections.
An increase in the amount of protein is observed with:
- sepsis;
- myocardial infarction;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- Active rheumatic process;
- Acute pancreatitis;
- Pancreatic necrosis.
It is important! The concentration of CRP is determined in order to determine the duration of antibiotic therapy. There is a causal relationship between an increase in CRP and ESR, but CRP appears and disappears earlier than the ESR level changes.
In this regard, CRP is effectively used in medical practice to assess the risk of cardiovascular pathologies and related complications, since it can be used to determine even minor changes in the amount of this protein in the blood serum.
Information about the reasons for the increase in CRP levels
C-reactive protein is elevated in the following cases:
- The presence of acute bacterial infections (sepsis);
- With exacerbations of chronic inflammatory (immunopathological and infectious) diseases;
- In case of tissue damage (acute myocardial infarction, trauma, burns, surgical interventions);
- With a chronic sluggish inflammatory process associated with an increased risk of pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
- With malignant neoplasms and metastases;
- With overweight, diabetes;
- With arterial hypertension;
- With hormonal disorders (increased levels of estrogen and progesterone in the blood serum).
What influences the outcome of a study?
It is customary to distinguish between a number of factors that can trigger an increase in CRP levels.
- Intense physical activity;
- Pregnancy;
- Taking COCs;
- With hormone replacement therapy.
Factors that reduce CRP levels:
- Taking beta blockers;
- NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, nimesulide);
- statins;
- Corticosteroids.
General information about the analysis
C-reactive protein is a glycoprotein that is produced by the liver. In various pathologies, under the influence of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1, TNF-alpha and interleukin-6), its production increases within 6 hours from the onset of inflammation, and the concentration in blood serum increases by 10-100 times within 24 to 48 hours .
It is important! An increase in the baseline level of CRP can only be determined using highly sensitive laboratory tests.
The presence of even a relatively elevated level of protein in the blood, even with normal cholesterol levels in apparently healthy patients, may indicate the likelihood of:
- hypertension;
- apoplexy;
- myocardial infarction;
- obliterating atherosclerosis;
- sudden coronary death.
It is important! The level of reactive protein in the blood decreases with the use of acetylsalicylic acid and statins, which reduce inflammation in the walls of blood vessels in atherosclerosis. Moderate alcohol consumption, weight loss, regular physical activity, contribute to a decrease in protein levels and, accordingly, reduce the risk of vascular pathologies.
Everyone knows the fact that among the causes of frequent mortality in the adult population, it is cardiovascular pathologies and their consequences that occupy a leading position.
It is thanks to the studies of the CRP level in combination with other indicators that they help to assess the risk of these pathologies in relatively healthy individuals, as well as to predict the course of the disease in patients with cardiac pathologies, which helps in their prevention and in planning drug therapy tactics.
What is the purpose of CRP analysis?
- To assess the risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies in apparently healthy patients (in combination with other markers).
- To predict complications (stroke, myocardial infarction, sudden coronary death) in persons with arterial hypertension and coronary artery disease;
- To assess the effectiveness of prescribed therapy for pathologies of the circulatory system;
- To prevent complications.
What are the results of a c-reactive protein test?
The average value of this medical analysis is - 0 - 1 mg / l.
- Protein concentration up to 1 mg / l - this indicates a low risk of pathologies of the cardiovascular system and their complications;
- The indicator - 1-3 mg / l - indicates an average risk;
- Indicators exceeding 3 mg / l - the presence of a high risk of vascular pathologies in patients with diseases of the heart and blood vessels, as well as in healthy people.
- If the protein level exceeds the barrier of 10 mg/l, you should re-analyze and undergo additional examinations, this is necessary to identify infectious and other inflammatory diseases.
Which specialists should be contacted for the appointment of an analysis and its interpretation?
For the purpose of the study, the direction is issued by the following doctors:
- Cardiologist;
- Therapist;
- general practitioner.
And so, C-reactive protein is a well-known "gold marker" of inflammatory processes, which is one of the main components in the diagnosis. .
It is important! All of the above information is provided for informational purposes only. For more detailed explanations, please consult your healthcare professional.
