C‐reactive Protein in Population Samples

Abstract

The significance of C‐reactive protein (CRP) was studied in three different sets of specimens. (a) Raised levels (>10 mg/1) were detected in 2.0% of 380 healthy blood donors from whom two blood specimens, taken at an interval of half a year, were tested. Except for two cases, only one of the two specimens was positive, (b) Raised levels were found three times as frequently (in 6.6%) in a random middle‐aged population sample consisting of 531 subjects. More than 40% of the raised levels could be connected to acute respiratory infections, and about 20% to smoking. Five of the 35 subjects (14%) in the population sample with elevated CRP had rheumatoid arthritis, (c) The third set of sera comprised pre‐illness specimens from 22 subjects who developed rheumatoid arthritis a few months to five years later. Although it had previously been proved that the majority of these sera contained rheumatoid factors, the CRP concentration was increased in one specimen only.

Serum amyloid A (SAA) protein and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) in healthy newborn infants and healthy young through elderly adults

“…Because SAA is more sensitive to IL‐6 and IL‐1β stimulation than CRP, SAA can be useful in viral and non‐invasive bacterial infections 20. Increasing levels of CRP with age have been found in otherwise healthy elderly individuals 21–23. Moreover, SAA levels have been reported to increase with age, with a marked elevation in individuals over the age of 70 y 24.…”

Factors Associated with Multiple Biomarkers of Systemic Inflammation

“…The association between smoking and increased concentrations of inflammatory markers has long been recognized (4, 45-47). In addition to activation of NF-κB,– a transcription factor and central mediator of the inflammatory response, exposure to cigarette smoke increases production of reactive oxygen species (46), and cyclooxygenase (COX), a rate-limiting enzyme in the production of PGE 2 (48, 49).…”

C‐reactive protein serum levels in patients with ocular disease

“…There were 16 patients with keratitis, 12 patients with preseptal cellulitis, 16 patients with uveitis and 7 patients with endophthalmitis. CRP levels above 20 mg/l were regarded to be elevated (Palosuo et al 1986;Principi et al 1986;Peltola & Jakkola 1988). In our control group consisting of CRP-levels in blood of patients with retinal detachment (n = lo), the mean CRP level was 2.8 mg/l (SD f 0.98 mg/l).…”