Monday December 5, 2005
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) - marker of mortality in ICU ?

Interesting work done from Belgium looking into correlation of C-Reactive Protein with mortality in ICU. Patients with high CRP levels at ICU admission had more severe organ dysfunction, longer ICU stays, and higher mortality rates (36% if ICU admission serum CRP levels > 10 mg/dL). On 48 hours followup - decrease in CRP level was associated with a mortality rate of 15.4%, while an increased CRP level was associated with a mortality rate of 60.9%.

Clinical significance: Admission CRP level can identify the patient who may require more aggressive interventions to prevent complications and similarly serial measurements.

C-Reactive Protein Levels Correlate With Mortality and Organ Failure in Critically Ill Patients - Chest. 2003;123:2043-2049