CRP concentrations can be elevated in the later stages of pregnancy, with use of birth control pills or in women taking hormone replacement therapy. Higher levels of CRP have also been observed in the obese. Another test to monitor inflammation is called the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Both CRP and ESR are elevated in the presence of inflammation, but the concentration of CRP in the bloodstream rises and falls faster than ESR. CRP levels may therefore fall to normal if you have been treated successfully, such as for a flare-up of arthritis, but your ESR may remain abnormal for a while longer. C-reactive protein is an acute phase protein widely used as an indicator of infectious or inflammatory conditions. Traditionally it has been used as an adjunctive test for inflammation and as a marker of disease activity. Though sensitive, its nonspecific nature imposes limitation on its clinical use. Currently C-reactive protein is used in the management of chorioamnionitis, preterm premature rupture of membranes, pelvic inflammatory disease, and urinary tract infection. Interestingly, several obstetric conditions such as pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes are now known to have an underlying inflammatory basis and there is an emerging role of C-reactive protein testing in managing these diseases. Additionally C-reactive protein testing has an established place in management of several acute abdominal conditions. The aim of this paper is to review the place of C-reactive protein in modern obstetric and gynecological practice.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 17:47:39 +0000