title: Serum CRP levels in pre-dialysis patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) is strongly associated with morbidity and mortality in dialysis patients. However, the significance of high CRP levels in pre-dialysis patients has not been studied extensively. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of elevated serum CRP in pre-dialysis patients and to analyze its correlation with renal function and other inflammatory and nutritional factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional study, 100 pre-dialysis patients who had been visited in two outpatient nephrology clinics from 2005 until 2006 and had the serum creatinine >/= 1.5 mg/dL for at least three months were studied. Demographic characteristics, medications, GFR, hemoglobin, as well as inflammatory and nutritional parameters (CRP, Albumin, Fibrinogen, Transferin, Ferritin, TG, Chol, LDL, and HDL) were measured and compared between the patients in regard to the CRP level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean of serum CRP level was 5.7 +/- 5.1mg/L; elevated level were reported in 17 patients (17%). Serum CRP levels was significantly correlated with GFR, albumin, fibrinogen, transferring, and ferritin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Similar to the dialysis population, we found that serum CRP was elevated in pre-dialysis patients. In addition, a positive correlation between serum CRP levels and several inflammatory factors was found. CRP serum level was also negatively correlated with GFR, the indicator of renal function.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Diseases Department (Nephrology), Sina Hospital, Medical Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Effat
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Razeghi
authors.forename: Sayeh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parkhideh
authors.forename: Farrokhlagha
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ahmadi
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Khashayar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000032:analysis; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011336:Probability; D011379:Prognosis; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D003404:Creatinine