[C-reactive protein levels determined by an ultrasensitive method in a healthy Hungarian population]

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a well-known acute phase protein. The concentration of CRP in serum is increased in response to inflammatory stimuli. Increased levels serve to identify organic disease, to monitor disease activity and to assist differential diagnosis.

The aim of the authors' cross-sectional study was to determine CRP distribution of the healthy Hungarian population.

207 (79 male, 128 female; mean age: 4 +/- 68 years) healthy blood donors were enrolled for the study. The following parameters were registered: sex, age, body mass index, smoking habits, diabetes mellitus and blood pressure. Serum samples were assayed for total serum cholesterol, triglyceride, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, hemoglobin and for white blood cell count. CRP was measured by ultrasensitive, particle enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay.

CRP levels were less than 5 mg/L in 81% of the blood donors. Mean level of CRP in the study population was 3.57 mg/L (SD +/- 5.33); the distribution was comparable to the data of already published studies. Comparing laboratory parameters and the risk status stratified according to CRP levels (less or more than 5 mg/L) significant differences were found in BMI (p = 0.0015), in total serum cholesterol (p = 0.0136), in triglyceride (p < 0.0001), in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p < 0.0001), in white blood cell (p = 0.0007) and granulocyte count (p = 0.0014). Significant correlation was found between age and the concentration CRP (r = 0.22; p = 0.0011).

The CRP measurement by ultrasensitive method is suitable for cardiovascular risk estimation in apparently healthy men and women. Risk prediction adapted for the Hungarian situation may be stimulated by these data.