Screening for raised base-line values of serum CRP as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases among adults in Bethlehem District using hs-CRP assay

Abstract

C-reactive protein is a non-specific indicator of inflammation. The CRP test is useful in evaluating patients with an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The level of CRP correlates with peak levels of the CK-MB isoenzyme, but CRP peaks occur 18 to 72 hours later. Failure of CRP to normalize may indicate ongoing damage to the heart tissue. Levels are not elevated in patients with angina. Although CRP assays only report levels > 3 mg/L, the hs-CRP assay reports levels as low as 0.1 mg/L, and is thus used in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk stratification. Patients with hs-CRP levels < 1 mg/L are categorized as having lower relative risk for cardiovascular events. Those with levels of 1 to 3 mg/L are at intermediate risk, and those with levels > 3 mg/L are at higher relative risk. The purpose of this study is to screen for raised base-line serum CRP levels among adults from Bethlehem District using the CRP-ultrasensitive assay (Micro CRP/Ultra CRP Latex turbidimetry). A total of 189 serum samples were obtained from patients doing various tests in different laboratories from Bethlehem District and were tested for baseline values of CRP using hs-CRP assay (CRP-ultrasensitive/Latex turbidimetry). All patients had normal ESR values to exclude the presence of inflammation. Approximately 17.5% of Bethlehem district adults in the age range of 18-83 have hs-CRP levels >3.0 mg/L and therefore can be stratified as having high risk whilemore than half of that population (56.1%) have hs-CRP levels <1.0 mg/L. Patients with average risk (26.5%) are recommended to monitor their cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, and hs-CRP value on a regular basis since the presence of other risk factors increases their chance of having CVD. The highest percentage of high cardiac disease risk (24.2%) was found in patients in their 40’s and should therefore actively control any other CVD risk factor and could start taking statins based on their hs-CRP value therefore it is hoped that clinicians realize the benefit of adding hs-CRP assay to their battery of CVD markers.