Reference value for C-reactive protein and its distribution pattern in thai adults

Navapun Charuruks1, Bunpayao Laohajinda, Suthee Rujiwanitgun

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. ncharuruks@yahoo.com

Insights

This study established a reference value for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in healthy Thai adults as 1.8 mg/L. hs-CRP levels were not significantly affected by time, gender, or age, allowing for flexible testing times.

Area of Science:

  • Clinical Chemistry
  • Biomarkers
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Establishing population-specific reference values for biomarkers is crucial for accurate health assessments.
  • High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a key inflammatory marker with potential diagnostic utility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the reference value for hs-CRP in a healthy Thai population.
  • To investigate the influence of time, gender, and age on hs-CRP levels in Thai adults.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study involving 364 healthy Thai adults (185 males, 279 females, aged 18-74).
  • Circadian variation analysis of hs-CRP in 10 additional healthy subjects (aged 18-54).
  • Statistical analysis to assess the impact of demographic factors and time on hs-CRP concentrations.

Main Results:

  • The established reference value for hs-CRP in Thai adults was 1.8 mg/L (range: 0.2-7.9 mg/L).
  • No statistically significant differences in hs-CRP levels were observed based on region, time of day, gender, or age (p>0.05).
  • Circadian variation did not significantly impact hs-CRP measurements.

Conclusions:

  • The determined hs-CRP reference value of 1.8 mg/L is suitable for Thai adults.
  • hs-CRP testing can be conducted at any time, as levels are not significantly influenced by circadian rhythms, gender, or age.
  • This study provides a valuable reference range for hs-CRP in the Thai population, aiding clinical interpretation.
Abstract