title: C-reactive protein.
abstract: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein whose concentration in serum is increased in response to inflammatory stimuli. Increased levels serve to identify organic disease, monitor disease activity and assist differential diagnosis. High values are observed early in bacterial infections, active rheumatoid disease, Crohn's disease, acute myocardial infarction and after major trauma. In patients with ischaemic chest pain, a raised CRP value on hospital admission is associated with an adverse prognosis. In apparently healthy individuals, a raised CRP value indicates an increased risk of developing atherosclerotic vascular disease, but also increased benefit from aspirin prophylaxis and treatment of hyperlipidaemia.
authors.affiliation: OmniLabs, 27 Harley Street, London W1N 1DA, UK.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Rosalki
mesh_terms: D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein