How does the CRP value change with different diseases?

Rheumatic diseases are characterized by autoimmune phenomena. In addition to rheumatoid arthritis (the rheumatic joint complaints that most people are familiar with), other diseases such as collagenosis or vasculitis also belong to the rheumatic form. In rheumatic diseases, many non-specific inflammatory parameters, including the CRP value, are elevated, especially in the acute phase of the disease.

In the case of rheumatism, depending on the severity and manifestation of the disease, there can sometimes be very marked increases in the CRP. The CRP value correlates with the inflammatory activity. The stronger the inflammation, the higher the CRP value.

The final cause for the development of many rheumatic diseases is not known. In the case of rheumatoid joint complaints (rheumatoid arthritis), an infectious cause is also being discussed, which in turn provokes a strong immune response and thus a pronounced inflammatory reaction. Cancer often leads to a pronounced increase in the CRP level.

However, it must be stressed that CRP is an inflammatory parameter and not a tumour marker! An increase in CRP is therefore not a criterion and not a meaningful value for a tumour disease. One must therefore not wrongly conclude the presence of cancer because of an increase in the CRP value.

Furthermore, the CRP value is not considered a progression parameter in a tumorous disease. An increase can only occur in the context of a tumor disease as an expression of an inflammatory reaction triggered by the cancer. The CRP value also decreases in the case of remission of a cancerous disease.

In the course of the disease, the CRP can rise to values of over 200 mg/dl. You can also find more information under: CRP value in cancerous diseaseIt is difficult to distinguish between acute bronchitis and pneumonia without chest x-rays. In addition to the clinical signs, such as an elevated CRP value of over 30 mg/l indicates pneumonia.

The detection of an elevated CRP value significantly improves the accuracy of diagnosis in respiratory diseases. – reduced rattling sound of breathing,

Fever,
Increased pulse (tachycardia) and
The absence of colds,

Sepsis is colloquially known as blood poisoning and can still be fatal today, even if countermeasures are taken. In Germany, up to 25% of sepsis patients die despite therapy.

The highest CRP values are measured in sepsis. In sepsis, the CRP value is used both for diagnosis and for monitoring the course of the disease. The CRP level decreases continuously with antibiotic treatment.

A more precise parameter, however, is the lactate value in sepsis. It refers to the organ failure caused by sepsis. Lactate values of over 4 mmol/l are called septic shock.

Back pain as a symptom can be caused by various diseases. The classic back pain caused by muscular tension does not lead to an increase in the CRP value. However, clinical pictures such as meningitis or spondylodiscitis can lead to a strong increase in the CRP value, as these diseases are characterized by inflammation.

Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges, which leads to headaches and fever, among other things. However, the pain can also spread to the spinal cord. Spondylodiscitis is an inflammation of the intervertebral discs and vertebral bodies, which also manifests itself as back pain.

After surgery, the CRP value can increase. This can, but does not necessarily indicate an infection of the wound. A moderate increase in the CRP value is more likely due to the phases of wound healing, which are similar to an inflammation.

Regular check-ups and blood tests should be carried out to determine the CRP value and other inflammation markers, such as blood sedimentation (BSG), leukocyte count and other laboratory values. Classically, the regular collection of the CRP value while taking antibiotics serves to monitor the course of the inflammation. If the antibiotic works properly, the CRP value can be expected to drop.

If the CRP does not decrease or even increases further, this may indicate that the spectrum of action of the selected antibiotic does not include the pathogen causing the inflammation. In this case, a bacterial smear should be taken if possible in order to determine the exact pathogen spectrum and adjust the antibiotic therapy. Because the C-reactive protein is produced in the liver, in the case of pronounced liver damage (e.g. liver failure, liver cirrhosis or a tumour of the liver) there may be insufficient production of the protein. This means that even in the presence of severe inflammation, the expected increase in CRP does not occur.