Ascitic Fluid High Sensitive C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP). A Prognostic Marker in Cirrhosis with Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis.

Abstract

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is an acute phase reactant. Its level increases in the presence of acute or chronic inflammation and infections. High sensitive CRP (hs-CRP) is more sensitive than CRP as an inflammatory marker. High sensitive CRP has been known to be elevated in chronic liver diseases and Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP). The aim of the study was to establish the role of ascitic fluid high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs -CRP) as a prognostic indicator in patients with SBP. A total of 100 patients with decompensated cirrhosis admitted in medicine ward and ICU were included, of which 50 patients of acute bacterial peritonitis were used as study group and 50 patients of sterile ascites were used as control group. Hs-CRP level of cases and controls were estimated. SBP cases were treated with its standard recommended antibiotic therapy and hs-CRP level was again estimated after 5 days of antibiotic therapy or at the time of discharge. The mean level of hs-CRP before antibiotic therapy of the patients with SBP was significantly higher than that of the patients without spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (t98=17.72; p=0.0001). The mean level of hs-CRP at 5(th) day or discharge after initiation of antibiotic therapy was significantly lower than that of level of hs-CRP before initiation of antibiotic therapy (p<0.05). The mean hs-CRP of the cases with poor outcome (death and prolonged hospital stay) was significantly higher than others. Ascitic fluid hs-CRP level can be considered as a surrogate prognostic marker in cases of Cirrhosis with SBP.