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Serum C-reactive protein does not predict rheumatoid arthritis
1National Public Health Institute and Social Insurance Institution, Helsinki, Finland.
The Journal of Rheumatology
|May 17, 2000
Summary
C-reactive protein (CRP) does not predict rheumatoid arthritis (RA) development. This study found no significant difference in CRP levels between individuals who developed RA and those who did not, indicating CRP is not a reliable early marker for RA.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) development involves a preceding immunological process.
- Investigating early immunological markers is crucial for understanding RA pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate C-reactive protein (CRP) as a predictive biomarker for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- To determine if elevated CRP levels precede the clinical onset of RA.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study nested within a large Finnish cohort (19,072 adults).
- 124 incident RA cases were matched with three controls each, based on sex, age, and municipality.
- Serum CRP levels were quantified using a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Main Results:
- No significant difference in serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels was observed between individuals who developed RA and control subjects.
- Analysis of CRP quintiles showed no increased odds ratio for RA development.
- Stratified analyses by sex, age, rheumatoid factor (RF) status, and time to disease onset did not alter the findings.
Conclusions:
- The pre-rheumatoid immunological process, including rheumatoid factor (RF) production, is not associated with heightened C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.
- CRP is not a reliable indicator of inflammation or tissue injury preceding the clinical manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis.