Diagnostic value of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in Pain Abdomen

Background : CRP is a non-specific inflammatory marker that is used routinely in clinical practice to evaluate the severity of the disease. An analysis of CRP levels was done in patients with pain abdomen to assess the usefulness of this inflammatory marker in the management of these patients. Patients and methods: Patients presenting with pain abdomen were included. Routine blood investigations including CRP and leucocyte count was done. Clinical, surgical and histopathologic data were collected. Patients were classified into those with non-specific abdominal pain (NSAP), those who were treated conservatively and those who underwent surgery and the CRP values for each of the above groups were assessed. Cut-off values (<10, 10-50, 50-100, 100-150, >150mg/l) were used to obtain a definite diagnostic value for the above groups. Results: 100 patients were selected by purposive sampling. 47 were women and 53 were men between the ages of 18-78 years. CRP was done in all patients at the time of admission. 34 patients were diagnosed to have NSAP, 32 were treated conservatively and the rest 34 required surgery. The mean values of CRP were 7mg/l for patients with NSAP, 87mg/l for those treated conservatively and 126mg/l for those who underwent surgery. Conclusion : CRP levels were statistically significant for patients with NSAP, those treated conservatively and those who underwent surgery. It increases with the severity of inflammation. Hence it can be used as a helpful marker in the management of patients with pain abdomen in addition to leucocyte count.