[Study on the diagnostic test with C-reactive protein in elderly patients with infections].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the value of C-reactive protein (CRP) to diagnostic test in elderly patients with infections.


METHODS
C-reactive protein were investigated in 142 elderly patients with infections and 216 elderly patients without. CRP 7 - 20, 21 - 40 and 41 - 60 mg/L were stratified, the index of diagnostic test counted.


RESULTS
Concentrations of CRP in patients with different diseases were upper respiratory tract infection 36.9 mg/L +/- 28.9 mg/L, acute bronchitis 30.1 mg/L +/- 28.1 mg/L, pneumonia 55.9 mg/L +/- 32.9 mg/L, urinary infection 49.0 mg/L +/- 27.6 mg/L and enteritis 39.3 mg/L +/- 35.6 mg/L. They were all higher than those in control group (5.2 mg/L +/- 2.9 mg/L, P < 0.001). Stratified analysis disclosed that the specificity of CRP was 83.3% - 99.0% for diagnostic infection disease. The positive likelihood ratio (LR) of 7 - 20, 21 - 40 and 41 - 60 mg/L were 3.6, 27.0 and 128.0, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
C-reactive protein was an important marker to diagnose elderly patients with infections.
Hu
Xiao-ling
XL
General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region, Shenyang 110015, China.
Wang
Lei
L
Yang
Wen
W
Yu
Wei
W
Yue
Xiao-hua
XH
Liu
Yu-hui
YH
Chu
Rong
R
Wang
Yu
Y
D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*
D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein