Is serum C-reactive protein really a sensitive stress marker in Bangladeshi people

The present study was done to determine the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration in normal subjects and patients suffering from infection, psychiatric disorders and of surgery. A total number of 55 subjects within 18-55 years age were selected from Mymensingh Medical College Hospital during the period from July 2003 to June 2004. Normal subjects as control were 13 and 42 comprised the group experimental. According to different types of stress the experimental group was further divided in to four subgroups: infection, psychiatric, pre and post surgery. Serum CRP concentration was measured by Immunoturbidimetric method from each subject. Statistical analyses were done by using Student's ' t' test. Statistically significant rise of serum CRP was observed in infection, psychiatric disorders and post surgery group in comparison to control group (P< 0.001). The study indicated that subjects with infection, psychiatric disorder and post surgery stage were in stressful conditions that resulted increased synthesis of CRP by liver cells due to Hypothalamopituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity and immune mediated inflammation.