From the Guidelines
A mildly elevated CRP level can be caused by various conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and long-term alcoholism, as well as other acute inflammatory conditions. These conditions can trigger low-grade inflammation in the body, leading to a mildly elevated CRP level, typically defined as 1.0 to 3.0 mg/L 1. Some of the key factors that can contribute to a mildly elevated CRP level include:
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Long-term alcoholism
- Other acute inflammatory conditions It's essential to note that CRP levels should be expressed in milligrams per liter and averaged from two measurements, optimally taken 2 weeks apart, to ensure accurate assessment 1. In clinical practice, a CRP level of 10 mg/L or higher should prompt further investigation to rule out underlying sources of infection or inflammation 1. Lifestyle factors and other conditions, such as obesity, smoking, and normal aging, can also influence CRP levels, but the specific causes mentioned in the guideline evidence, such as inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis, are directly associated with mildly elevated CRP levels 1.
From the Research
Causes of Mildly Elevated CRP
- Infection is a common cause of elevated CRP levels, as it is a marker of inflammation in the body 2
- Rheumatologic diseases, such as arthritis, can also cause elevated CRP levels 2
- Other inflammatory conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, can also lead to elevated CRP levels 3, 4
- Malignancy, or cancer, can also cause elevated CRP levels 2
- Certain medications, such as statins, can lower CRP levels, while others may have no effect or even increase CRP levels 5, 4, 6
Factors that Influence CRP Levels
- The level of CRP can be influenced by the presence of infection, with higher levels of CRP indicating a more severe infection 2
- The type of statin used and the duration of treatment can also influence the effect of statins on CRP levels 6
- The intensity of statin treatment can also impact the reduction of CRP levels, with high-intensity treatment being more effective 6
Conditions Associated with Elevated CRP
- Cardiovascular disease is associated with elevated CRP levels, and statins have been shown to reduce CRP levels in patients with this condition 3, 4, 6
- Pulmonary and autoimmune diseases can also cause elevated CRP levels 3
- Cancer can also lead to elevated CRP levels, particularly in cases of malignancy 2