The value of C-reactive protein measurement in rheumatoid arthritis

• Published in: Seminars in arthritis and rheumatism Vol. 24; no. 2; pp. 91 - 104
• Main Author: Otterness, Ivan G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Elsevier Inc 01.10.1994; Elsevier
• Subjects: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - therapeutic use; Antirheumatic Agents - therapeutic use; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - blood; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - diagnosis; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - drug therapy; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - physiopathology; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Sedimentation; C-Reactive Protein - analysis; C-Reactive Protein - biosynthesis; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Humans; Inflammatory joint diseases; Medical sciences; Prognosis; CRP; therapy; disease management; RA; Human; Immunological investigation; Rheumatoid arthritis; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Evolutivity; Autoimmune disease; Inflammatory joint disease; Inflammation; C reactive protein
• ISSN: 0049-0172; 1532-866X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0049-0172(05)80003-4

Since 1973, assessment of serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) has been advocated as a objective measure of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our review of clinical experience with CRP measurement suggests it has at least two important roles to play in the management of RA. First, persistently elevated CRP levels have prognostic value. In general, such elevated levels are found in those patients who are at greater risk for continuing joint deterioration and therefore may need more aggressive treatment and supportive care. Second, in general, improvement in CRP levels is an objective indication that a drug has produced a beneficial effect and thus may be useful to the physician for monitoring effects of therapy. Since CRP may be elevated in a number of conditions besides RA, a diagnosis of RA must be made before using CRP as a prognostic factor.