High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP): Association with clinical subsets in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients from Western India

Abstract

BackgroundHigh-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a marker of systemic inflammation. hsCRP have been related to disease presence and clinical activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). AimTo understand the association between hsCRP and SLE disease manifestations and other associated immune parameters. Material & methodsOne hundred and ten SLE patients were studied and SLE disease activity was evaluated by SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Among these 42.7% patients had lupus nephritis (LN). hsCRP and complement levels were detected by nephelometer. ResultsA total of 40/110 (36.4%) had elevated hsCRP levels. High CRP was associated with presence of infection (p < 0.001) Patients having bacterial, parasitic and viral infections had elevated levels of hsCRP. LN patients showed slightly higher hsCRP levels (29.3 ± 29.9 mg/L than non-LN group (27.3 ± 21.3 mg/L) but this difference was not significant. Patients with raised hsCRP levels showed a higher prevalence of low complement levels as compared to patients with normal CRP levels (p = 0.03). ConclusionElevated hsCRP levels were found to be associated with infections in SLE patients and low complement levels. Elevated hsCRP levels can be used as a marker of active infection in SLE patients.