Inflammatory markers Flashcards
What is CRP?
Acute marker that is a non specific marker for inflammation that is produced by the liver
What does CRP stand for?
C-Reactive Protein
What can cause an raised CRP?
Burns
Trauma.
Infections (pneumonia, TB).
Chronic inflammatory diseases (SLE, vasculitis, RA).
MI
IBD
Cancers.
When is CRP routinely measured?
to assess disease activity in autoimmune / inflammatory conditions.
Give examples of autoimmune / inflammatory conditions that CRP is monitored in
RA
JIA
Sero-ve arthritis - ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis and reactive arthritis
Chron’s disease
Vasculitis
Polyaretritis nodosa
Pancreatitis
What else can CRP be used to do?
Give examples
Assistance with diagnosis and monitoring infection
– IE
- Abscess post-op infection.
- Response to Abx.
Differentiation between inflammatory conditions
- SLE vs. RA.
- Crohn’s vs. UC.
What does ESR stand for?
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
What does ESR measure?
The speed at which RBC wall
Increased fibrinogen means RBCs stick together and so fall faster.
What does a raised ESR mean?
the rate of RBC fall is faster
Does ESR rise and fall quickly or slowly??
Slowly
What can cause a raised ESR?
Malignancy;
- Malignant lymphoma.
- Carcinomas of colon/breast.
Haematological;
- Multiple myeloma.
- Anaemia of
acute/chronic disease
combined with iron
deficiency anaemia.
Connective tissue disorders;
- SLE, RA.
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
and temporal arteritis.
Infections;
- TB, acute hepatitis,
bacterial.
What focused questions would you ask about medications?
Condition control
Current medications
How often
Any SE
Adherence
Any other medications
What focused questions would you ask about SHx?
Recent travel anywhere?
Smoking?
Alcohol?
Impact of condition on life. (sx they are getting?)
Mobility of the joints
What advice can you give?
Stop smoking.
Advice on disease management if they’re non-compliant.
