title: C-reactive protein: clinical applications and proposals for a rational use.
abstract: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein whose requests have been growing exponentially in several countries, including Brazil. In this study, the use of CRP in several clinical situations was reviewed by a group of physicians comprised by specialists in internal medicine, medical emergencies, intensive care, screening, and laboratory medicine, aiming to analyze the applicable literature and to propose guidelines for a more rational use of this laboratory test. The result was the creation of flowcharts guiding CRP request, adjusted to four different healthcare environments, namely, intensive care units, emergency room, wards, and outpatient clinics. These flowcharts, as well as a more detailed discussion on several clinical recommendations for the test, are presented in this study.
authors: Serviço de Emergências Clínicas, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
authors: Francisco J B
authors: FJ
authors: Aguiar
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Ferreira-Júnior
authors: Maria M
authors: MM
authors: Sales
authors: Luiz M
authors: LM
authors: Cruz-Neto
authors: Luiz A M
authors: LA
authors: Fonseca
authors: Nairo M
authors: NM
authors: Sumita
authors: Nilo J C
authors: NJ
authors: Duarte
authors: Arnaldo
authors: A
authors: Lichtenstein
authors: Alberto J S
authors: AJ
authors: Duarte
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D003657:Decision Making / Q000502:physiology*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000145:classification*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein