• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.201-207
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• 2021

The 2019 coronavirus outbreak poses a threat to scientific, societal, financial, and health resources. The complex pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus centers on the unpredictable clinical progression of the disease, which may evolve abruptly and result in critical and life-threatening clinical complications. Effective clinical laboratory biomarkers that can classify patients according to risk are essential for ensuring timely treatment, and an analysis of recently published studies found cytokine storm and coagulation disorders were leading factors of severe COVID-19 complications. The following inflammatory, biochemical, and hematology biomarkers markers have been identified in COVID-19 patients; neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, c-reactive protein, procalcitonin, urea, liver enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase, serum amyloid A, cytokines, d-dimer, fibrinogen, ferritin, troponin, creatinine kinase, and lymphocyte, leukocyte, and platelet counts. These factors are predictors of disease severity and some are involved in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. CRP is an acute-phase, non-specific serological biomarker of inflammation and infection and is related to disease severities and outcomes. In the present study, CRP levels were found to rise dramatically among COVID-19 patients, and our findings suggest CRP could be utilized clinically to predict COVID-19 prognosis and severity even before disease progression and the manifestation of clinical symptoms.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.158-172
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• 2021

Background: Metabolic syndrome has been known as a risk of cardiovascular disease. Meanwhile, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is used as a predictor of cardiovascular disease. In this paper, we aimed to investigate the association between hs-CRP and metabolic syndrome. Method: A total of 7,633 were chosen as the study population from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey dataset (2016-2017). Our dependent variable was whether an individual had metabolic syndrome or not, and the independent variable of interest was hs-CRP which was categorized into three groups. The chi-square tests and hierarchical logistic regression analyses reflecting survey characteristics were conducted. All analyses were stratified by gender. Results: According to the adjusted model with all covariates, compared to individuals having the low risk of hs-CRP, those having its average risk were more likely to have metabolic syndrome in men (odds ratio [OR], 1.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-1.76) and women (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.33-2.16). Individuals having the high risk was not significantly different in men; however, they were more likely to have metabolic syndrome in women (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.28-3.23). Conclusion: In an upcoming aging society, it is important to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome to improve population health. This study suggests that hs-CRP may be used as a marker of the risk of metabolic syndrome in a gender-specific way, thereby contributing to enhancing awareness of the risk of metabolic syndrome among the general public.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2024

Radiographic left atrial dimension (RLAD) is a valuable metric for assessing left atrial enlargement in dogs. While there have been studies on the use of RLAD and the increase in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels based on heart disease stages, there has been no prior research on the correlation between RLAD and CRP. In this study, the objective was to investigate the relationship between the rise in RLAD as myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) stages advance and the increase in CRP levels with MMVD stage progression. In this study, a total of 30 small-breed dogs were included as subjects. These dogs were diagnosed with MMVD at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) stage B1 or B2, or stage C, based on a comprehensive assessment including physical examination, thoracic radiography, and echocardiography. Measurements of VHS and RLAD were compared to assess any significant differences. There were significant differences in RLAD between dogs with MMVD ACVIM stage B1 and those with stage C. The monocytes and CRP levels showed significant differences between ACVIM stage B1, B2 and ACVIM C. Additionally, a significant correlation was observed between the RLAD and VHS measurements. This underscores the notable association between MMVD stage advancement and elevated monocyte and CRP levels. The RLAD scores exhibited a significant difference among dogs with ACVIM stages B1, B2, and C, and significant variations were also observed in monocyte and CRP levels. These results suggest that monocyte and CRP levels may be a valuable diagnostic indicator for heart disease in dogs during the diagnostic evaluation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.243-248
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• 2013

Background: Associations between elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and cancer risk have been reported for many years, but the results from prospective cohort studies remains controversial. A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies was therefore conducted to address this issue. Methods: Eligible studies were identified by searching the PubMed and EMBASE up to October 2012. Pooled hazard ratios (HR) was calculated by using random effects model. Results: Eleven prospective cohort studies involving a total of 194,796 participants and 11,459 cancer cases were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled HR per natural log unit change in CRP was 1.105 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.033-1.178) for all-cancer, 1.308 (95% CI: 1.097-1.519) for lung cancer, 1.040 (95% CI: 0.910-1.170) for breast cancer, 1.063 (95% CI: 0.965-1.161) for prostate cancer, and 1.055 (95% CI: 0.925-1.184) for colorectal cancer. Dose-response analysis showed that the exponentiated linear trend for a change of one natural log unit in CRP was 1.012 (95% CI: 1.006-1.018) for all-cancer. No evidence of publication bias was observed. Conclusions: The results of this meta-analysis showed that the elevated levels of CRP are associated with an increased risk of all-cancer, lung cancer, and possibly breast, prostate and colorectal cancer. The result supports a role of chronic inflammation in carcinogenesis. Further research effort should be performed to identify whether CRP, as a marker of inflammation, has a direct role in carcinogenesis.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.391-398
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to quantify and compare the expressions of CRP and M-CSF in the gingival tissues of the patients with chronic periodontitis associated to hypertension. Methods: Gingival tissue samples were obtained during periodontal surgery or tooth extraction. Clinically healthy gingival tissue samples from systemically healthy 12 patients were categorized as group 1 (n=12). Inflammatory gingival tissue samples from patients with chronic periodontitis were categorized as group 2 (n=12). Inflammatory gingival tissue samples from patients with chronic periodontitis associated with hypertension were categorized as group 3 (n=12). Tissue samples were prepared and analyzed by Western blotting. The quantification of CRP and M-CSF were performed using a densitometer and statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey test. Results: There were significant differences between group 1 and group 2 and between group 1 and group 3 in both CRP and M-CSF. The differences between group 2 and group 3 were not statistically significant in both proteins. However, the expression levels of CRP and M-CSF in hypertensive inflammatory gingiva showed increased tendency compared to non-hypertensive inflammatory gingiva. Conclusions: It is suggested that CRP and M-CSF might be used as inflammatory and bone resorption markers in periodontal diseased tissue. It is assumed that hypertension may be associated with the progression of periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone resorption.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.106-111
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• 2020

Background: Fever is a common cause of pediatric consultation in the emergency department. However, identifying the source of infection in many febrile infants is challenging because of insufficient presentation of signs and symptoms. Meningitis is a critical cause of fever in infants, and its diagnosis is confirmed invasively by lumbar puncture. This study aimed to evaluate potential laboratory markers for meningitis in febrile infants. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed infants aged <3 months who visited the emergency department of our hospital between May 2012 and May 2017 because of fever of unknown etiology. Clinical information and laboratory data were evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed. Results: In total, 145 febrile infants aged <3 months who underwent lumbar punctures were evaluated retrospectively. The mean C-reactive protein (CRP) level was significantly higher in the meningitis group than in the non-meningitis group, whereas the mean white blood cell count or absolute neutrophil count (ANC) did not significantly differ between groups. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for CRP was 0.779 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.701-0.858). The AUC for the leukocyte count was 0.455 (95% CI, 0.360-0.550) and that for ANC was 0.453 (95% CI, 0.359-0.547). The CRP cut-off value of 10 mg/L was optimal for identifying possible meningitis. Conclusion: CRP has an intrinsic predictive value for meningitis in febrile infants aged <3 months. Despite its invasiveness, a lumbar puncture may be recommended to diagnose meningitis in young, febrile infants with a CRP level >10 mg/L.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.342-352
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• 2021

We used data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) (2016~2018) to investigate an association between high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and uric acid in the obese. Obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m² or more, severe obesity as a BMI of 30 kg/m² or more, and morbid obesity as a BMI of 35 kg/m² or more. In the complex samples multiple logistic regression, despite adjustment by adding major risk factors, the odds ratio (OR) for obesity was higher in the group with high levels of both, hsCRP and uric acid than the reference group at all stages (obesity, OR 1.89, P<0.001 vs. severe obesity, OR 5.04, P<0.001 vs. morbid obesity, OR 8.20, P<0.001). The association between hsCRP and uric acid in obese patients increased from 1.89 to 8.20 as the obesity level increased, suggesting that participants with increased BMI were significantly affected by hsCRP and uric acid. Moreover, the interaction between hsCRP and uric acid was statistically significant even in the model corrected for major confounding factors (P for interaction=0.009).

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.28-32
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• 2017

Objective: Growing evidence suggests that increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is associated with female infertility caused by conditions such as polycystic ovarian disease, obesity, thyroid dysfunction, and endometriosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether any relationship exists between CVD and unexplained infertility. Methods: Sixty-five women with unexplained infertility and 65 fertile controls were enrolled in the study. CVD risk markers such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), insulin resistance (defined by the homeostasis model assessment ratio), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were assessed. Results: TG, TC, LDL, and hs-CRP levels were higher and HDL levels were lower in patients with unexplained infertility than in fertile controls (p<0.05 for all). Positive associations were found between unexplained infertility and TG, TC, LDL, and hs-CRP levels, and a negative correlation was found for HDL (p<0.05 for all). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that TG, HDL, and hs-CRP were independent variables associated with unexplained infertility. Conclusion: Our study showed that women with unexplained infertility had an atherogenic lipid profile and elevated hs-CRP levels, suggesting a higher risk of developing CVD in the future. Further studies with larger groups are needed to investigate the nature of this link.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.30-37
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• 2021

Purpose: While the amylase concentration of the drainage fluid (dAmy) has been reported to be a predictor of postoperative pancreas-related complications (PPRC), the optimal timing for its measurement has not been fully investigated. Materials and Methods: The clinicopathological data of 387 patients who underwent elective gastrectomy for gastric cancer were reviewed. Laboratory data, including dAmy on postoperative days 1 (dAmy1) and 3 (dAmy3), and serum C-reactive protein (sCRP) concentrations on postoperative days 1 (sCRP1) and 3 (sCRP3) were compared between patients with PPRC and without PPRC. Results: Nineteen of the 387 patients (4.9%) developed PPRC. The optimal cutoff values of dAmy1, dAmy3, sCRP1, and sCRP3 were 1514 IU/L, 761 IU/L, 8.32 mg/dL, and 15.15 mg/dL, respectively. The area under the curve of dAmy1 was greater than that of dAmy3 (0.915 vs. 0.826), and that of sCRP3 was greater than that of sCRP1 (0.820 vs. 0.659). In the multivariate analysis, dAmy1 (P<0.001) and sCRP3 (P=0.004) were significant predictors of PPRC, while dAmy3 (P=0.069) and sCRP1 (P=0.831) were not. Thirteen (41.9%) of 31 patients with both dAmy1 ≥1,545 IU/L and sCRP3 ≥15.15 mg/dL had PPRC ≥Clavien-Dindo II. In contrast, among 260 patients with both dAmy1 <1,545 IU/L and sCRP3 <15.15 mg/dL, none developed PPRC. Conclusions: dAmy1 was more useful than dAmy3 in predicting PPRC. The combination of dAmy1 and sCRP3 may be a useful criterion for the removal of drains on postoperative day 3.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.365-371
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• 2007

Recent studies suggest a possible pathogenic linkage between the osteoporosis and atherosclerosis. We investigated the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors, including high sensitivity C-reactive (hs-CRP), hs-CRP and bone metabolism in females. Anthropometric measurements were performed on 300 women, and cardiovascular risk factors, including fasting blood glucose, lipid profiles and hs-CRP. An atherogenic index was calculated using the serum total cholesterol level divided by the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. The lumbar spine bone mineral density was measured using dual X-ray abosorptiometry. By bivariate analysis, the lumbar spine BMD showed negative correlations with age, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, serum total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The Age, BMI and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol showed significant correlations with the lumbar spine BMD. From linear regression analyses of all the study subjects, age, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were found to be determinants of the lumbar spine BMD($R^2=0.272$).