Interpretation of C-reactive protein values
in systemic lupus erythematosus
Elena Nikiphorou and Debasish Pyne
Corresponding address:
Dr Debasish Pyne, Barts and The Royal London Hospital
NHS Trust, Mile End Hospital Bancroft Road, London, E1 4DG, UK.
E-mail: dev.pyne@bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk
A significant rise in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) often reflects a co-existent infection or associated serositis. A number of investigators have proposed that the level of CRP can differentiate between infected and non-infected SLE patients. However, there have been conflicting views as to the usefulness of CRP measurement in SLE. Hind et al.[1] showed modest elevations in serum CRP with an acute flare, but substantially higher levels of CRP with intercurrent infection. Becker et al.[2] investigating a series of 41 patients showed that, even in the presence of florid disease activity, in the absence of infection the CRP value did not exceed 60 mg/l. (Read more)
Keywords
C-reactive protein; serositis; infection; systemic lupus erythematosus; cut-off values.
Click here for printer-optimised version
