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Biologic variability of C-reactive protein: is the available information reliable?

Federica Braga1, Mauro Panteghini

  • 1Centro Interdipartimentale per la Riferibilità Metrologica in Medicina di Laboratorio (CIRME), Università degli Studi, Milano, Italy. federica.braga@unimi.it

Clinica Chimica Acta; International Journal of Clinical Chemistry
|April 25, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Robust data on C-reactive protein (CRP) biologic variability is lacking. More studies are needed to establish reliable reference change values for accurate cardiovascular risk assessment using CRP levels.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Clinical Chemistry
  • Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

  • C-reactive protein (CRP) is a key indicator of cardiovascular risk.
  • Understanding CRP's biologic variability is essential for accurate individual risk assessment and monitoring changes over time.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review existing literature on the biologic variation of C-reactive protein (CRP).
  • To evaluate the consistency and quality of data regarding CRP biologic variability.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review of studies on CRP biologic variability.
  • Evaluation of studies based on subject demographics, study duration, sample collection frequency, sample handling, analytical methods, assay sensitivity, and statistical analysis.

Main Results:

  • Eleven studies on CRP biologic variability were identified.
  • Most studies had limitations in methodology, population selection, protocol adherence, and statistical analysis.
  • The single study meeting all requirements used logarithmic transformation, hindering clinical application.

Conclusions:

  • There is a significant lack of high-quality data on the biologic variability of serum CRP.
  • Further well-designed studies are required to determine reliable reference change values.
  • More research is needed to establish the optimal number of samples for accurate individual cardiovascular risk estimation using CRP.
Abstract

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