title: C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
abstract: CRP levels in 194 serum samples from 43 SLE patients were measured. Patients with inactive disease have levels below 10 micrograms/ml; patients with active SLE have higher levels, but never over 50 micrograms/ml. In the presence of infection or inflammatory processes, regardless of the activity of SLE, the levels are significantly higher (p less than 0.05), and well over 50 micrograms/ml. Both active SLE patients and inactive SLE patients with local infections have levels between 10 micrograms/ml and 50 micrograms/ml. In this situation, the presence of anti-DNA antibodies strongly suggests disease activity (82% versus 9%, p less than 0.05). The clinical and physiopathological meaning of these findings is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D004247:DNA