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Correlation of disease activity in systemic vasculitis with serum C‐reactive protein measurement. A prospective study of thirty‐eight patients
Author(s) -
HIND CHARLES R. K.,
WINEARLS CHRISTOPHER G.,
PEPYS MARK B.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2362.1985.tb00150.x
Subject(s) - erythrocyte sedimentation rate , c reactive protein , medicine , systemic vasculitis , vasculitis , prospective cohort study , systemic inflammation , immunosuppression , gastroenterology , systemic disease , disease , immunology , inflammation
. In a prospective study over 2 years, serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) concentration and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were measured serially in thirty‐eight patients with various types of necrotizing systemic vasculitis. The CRP concentration was always elevated in patients with active vasculitis and fell rapidly in association with clinical remission induced by immunosuppression. During periods of complete remission, in the absence of any intercurrent condition, the value remained within the normal range. In contrast the sedimentation rate responded more slowly to changes in disease activity and did not necessarily reflect the level of inflammation at a particular time. These results, together with the commercial availability of rapid and precise assays for CRP, indicate that serial measurement of the serum CRP fills the urgent need for an objective index of the activity of the systemic vasculitides and their response to therapy.