Serum CRP in the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease.
The usefulness of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) measurement was studied in a population of 152 patients admitted to a gynaecological emergency unit. Fifty-one of 55 patients with PID had raised (over 10 mg/l) (13-270 mg/l) CRP levels with a mean of 76.1 mg/l. CRP was elevated (12-40 mg/l) in 2 of 18 patients with threatened abortion with successful outcome, in 8 of 28 patients with incomplete abortion, and in 2 of 16 patients with ectopic pregnancy. Furthermore, 6 of 35 patients with noninfectious disorders (ovarian cyst, uterine fibroid, unexplained pelvic pains) had slightly elevated (12-59 mg/l) CRP levels. Thus, in this series a CRP greater than 10 mg/l had good sensitivity (93%) and specificity (83%) in the diagnosis of PID. Furthermore, CRP levels became normal much sooner than did erythrocyte sedimentation rate following effective antibiotic therapy, suggesting that it is useful in monitoring therapeutic response.
Hemilä
M
M
First Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Henriksson
L
L
Ylikorkala
O
O
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007434:Intrauterine Devices; D000292:Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002097:C-Reactive Protein