[Correlation of C-reactive protein with activity of Crohn's disease].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of C-reactive protein (CRP) in evaluating activity of Crohn's disease (CD).


METHODS
85 patients with Crohn's disease, 59 males and 26 females, aged 15-69, underwent laboratory examination of CRP, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), albumin, and hemoglobin. Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) was calculated. Endoscopy was conducted to collect samples of colon mucosa to undergo HE staining for pathological examination and immunohistochemical staining for the expression of nuclear factor-kappaB p65 (NF-kB p65). Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the correlation of CRP with ESR, CDAI, endoscopic activity, pathologic activity, hypoalbuminemia, and anemia. The effects of lesion location, clinical severity, and drug were considered.


RESULTS
CRP elevation was correlated with ESR, but not correlated with CDAI, endoscopic activity, pathologic activity, hypoalbuminemia, and anemia. CRP was significantly elevated in active CD (P < 0.01), especially in severe or colonic CD (P < 0.05). CRP rapidly decreased when the CD activity was effectively controlled by drugs (P < 0.01), and was reelevated when disease recurred (P > 0.05). Serum CRP elevation was paralleled with the NF-kappaB p65 level (P = 1.0).


CONCLUSIONS
More suitable for reflection of the activity of moderate or severe colonic CD, CRP can reflect the effects of drugs in the early stage of CD. The serum CRP elevation is consistent with the NF-kappaB p65 expression in colon tissues.
Yang
Chuan-hua
CH
Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200001, China.
Chen
Xiao-yu
XY
Yang
Feng
F
Ran
Zhi-hua
ZH
Liu
Wen-zhong
WZ
Xiao
Shu-dong
SD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D003106:Colon / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA / Q000032:analysis
D051996:Transcription Factor RelA; D002097:C-Reactive Protein