C-reactive protein

C-reactive protein elevation is part of the acute-phase response to acute and chronic inflammation. It out-performs erythrocyte sedimentation rate in terms of responsiveness and specificity for inflammation. While C-reactive protein elevation is suggestive of inflammation or infection in the appropriate clinical context, it can also occur with obesity and renal dysfunction. Conversely, a lack of C-reactive protein elevation in inflammation may be seen with hepatic failure, as well as during flares of conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus. Using C-reactive protein in refining cardiac risk assessment is not currently recommended outside of research settings.