title: A paradoxical role for an acute phase reactant in decompensated cirrhosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aims to determine the predictive power of baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) value in cirrhotic patients with ascites, without overt infection, that might lead to spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP)/ cellullitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  152 consecutive cirrhotic patients with ascites, without overt infection were included in the study, after measuring the baseline CRP value. All patients were followed up for a duration of one year, or till development of SBP/cellulitis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline CRP was elevated in 76.8% of the patients. Development of infection was observed in 78 (51.3%) patients. SBP was diagnosed in 54 patients, cellulitis was documented in 15 patients. 9 patients had simultaneous SBP and cellulitis Baseline CRP was 10.2 ± 6.34 mg/dL in the group who developed infection, it was 4.81 ± 4.41 mg/dL in the group who did not develop infection (p = 0.002). Baseline CRP > 9.5 mg/dL, serum albumin < 2.8 g/dL and a previous history of infection were independent predictors of developing SBP/cellulitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Along with low serum albumin and previous history of infection, CRP can be used as a predictive tool for early detection of infection, thus enabling to reduce the morbidity and mortality.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Peter
authors.forename: Paul Cheruvathoor
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: Mashhood Padincharepurathu
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Villyoth
authors.forename: Suthanu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bahuleyan
authors.forename: Nikhil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Suraj
authors.forename: Chethan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Govindaraju
authors.forename: Shanid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abdul Sathar
authors.forename: Srijaya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sreesh
authors.forename: Premalatha
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Narayanan
authors.forename: Kattoor Ramakrishnan Vinaya
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001201:Ascites / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012709:Serum Albumin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein