Point of care testing for C-reactive protein - a new path for Australian GPs?
BACKGROUND
New approaches are needed to reduce antibiotic usage in respiratory tract infections in general practice without compromising patient safety. Point of care tests for C-reactive protein (CRP) are now being used for this purpose in some European countries.


OBJECTIVE
Current knowledge about the CRP response in respiratory tract infections is presented, as well as the usefulness of applying the test when sinusitis and pneumonia may be suspected.


CONCLUSIONS
A promising ability of the test in ruling in or out severe infection has been demonstrated in clinical studies. There are still controversies about the use of the CRP test in respiratory tract infections, however clinical research supports its use for some conditions, and therefore introduction into Australian general practice should be considered. Further evaluation of its utility is needed.
Melbye
Hasse
H
Institute of Community Medicine, University of Tromsø, Norway. hasse.melbye@ism.uit.no
Stocks
Nigel
N
D001315:Australia; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012016:Reference Values; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis
D002097:C-Reactive Protein