From the Guidelines
Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are primarily caused by inflammation in the body, which can be triggered by various factors, including infections, autoimmune disorders, inflammatory bowel diseases, tissue damage, and chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, as supported by recent studies 1.
Causes of Elevated CRP
- Infections (bacterial, viral, or fungal)
- Autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
- Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
- Tissue damage from injuries, surgeries, or heart attacks
- Chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease
- Certain medications, smoking, and lack of exercise
Mechanism of CRP Elevation
The liver produces CRP when inflammatory cytokines are released, making it a reliable marker of systemic inflammation. CRP levels typically rise within hours of an inflammatory trigger and can increase several hundred-fold during acute inflammation.
Clinical Interpretation
While elevated CRP indicates inflammation is present, additional testing is usually needed to determine the specific cause, as CRP elevation is a non-specific finding that requires clinical context for proper interpretation, as noted in studies 1.
Recent Findings
Recent studies have highlighted the importance of diet in maintaining gut health and reducing the risk of obesity, cardiovascular, and other age-related inflammatory diseases, which can contribute to elevated CRP levels 1.
Conclusion is not allowed, so the answer will be ended here.
From the Research
Elevated CRP Causes
- Bacterial infections can cause elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, with bacterial patients presenting higher CRP levels upon admission compared to viral patients 2
- The median value of estimated CRP velocity (eCRPv) is higher in bacterial patients compared to viral patients, indicating a faster increase in CRP levels over time 2
- Intermediate values of CRP (100-150 mg/L) upon admission, where the differential diagnosis is controversial, can be indicative of bacterial infection if the eCRPv is high (>4 mg/L/h) 2
- Acute febrile illness can also lead to elevated CRP levels, with the eCRPv value potentially being used for rapid differentiation between bacterial and viral infection 2