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.
First Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Helsinki, Finland.
M
M
Hemilä
L
L
Henriksson
O
O
Ylikorkala
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