How much C-reactive protein is needed to take anti-inflammatory drugs

When people hear the term C-reactive protein, many of them don’t know what it means. C-reactive protein is actually a substance that appears when the body is infected. C-reactive protein can effectively help our body deal with invading bacteria and viruses. So, do you know how much C-reactive protein in the test results requires the use of anti-inflammatory drugs?

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein (acute protein) that rises sharply in the plasma when the body is infected or the tissue is damaged. It activates complement and strengthens the phagocytosis of phagocytes to play a regulatory role, clearing the invading pathogens and damaged, necrotic, and apoptotic tissue cells.

It plays an important protective role in the body's natural immune process. Research on CRP has a history of more than 70 years. The traditional view is that CRP is a non-specific inflammatory marker, but research in the past decade has revealed that CRP is directly involved in cardiovascular diseases such as inflammation and atherosclerosis, and is the most powerful predictor and risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

As an extremely sensitive indicator of acute phase reaction, the CRP concentration in plasma increases rapidly and significantly in acute myocardial infarction, trauma, infection, inflammation, surgery, and tumor infiltration, reaching 2000 times the normal level. Combined with clinical history, it helps to follow up the course of the disease. Especially in inflammatory processes, follow-up of rheumatism, systemic lupus erythematosus, leukemia, etc.

Elevation:

(1) Acute inflammation or tissue necrosis, such as severe trauma, surgery, acute infection, etc.: CRP often rises sharply and significantly within a few hours, and rises before the ESR increases. In the recovery period, CRP also returns to normal before the ESR. For patients who undergo surgery, the CRP concentration decreases 7-10 days after surgery, otherwise it indicates infection or thrombosis.

(2) Acute myocardial infarction: increases within 24-48 hours, decreases after 3 days, and returns to normal after 1-2 weeks;

(3) Acute rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, bacterial infection, extensive tumor metastasis, and active pulmonary tuberculosis;

(4) CRP usually does not increase during viral infection;

(5) C-reactive protein can be used as an indicator for observing the condition of rheumatic diseases and predicting the relative risk of myocardial infarction.

Precautions

(1) Precautions before blood collection

① Do not eat greasy or high-protein food and avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol the day before blood collection. The alcohol content in the blood will directly affect the test results.

② After 8 pm the day before the physical examination, you should start fasting for 12 hours to avoid affecting the test results.

③ Relax when drawing blood to avoid blood vessel contraction due to fear, which will increase the difficulty of blood collection.

(2) Things to note after blood draw

① After drawing blood, apply local pressure on the needle hole for 3-5 minutes to stop the bleeding. Note: Do not rub to avoid causing subcutaneous hematoma.

② The pressing time should be sufficient. The clotting time varies from person to person, and some people need a little longer to clot. Therefore, if you stop applying pressure immediately when the surface of the skin seems to be not bleeding, the bleeding may not stop completely, and the blood may seep into the subcutaneous layer, causing bruises. Therefore, pressing for a longer time can completely stop the bleeding. If there is a tendency of bleeding, the pressing time should be prolonged.

③ If you experience symptoms of needle phobia such as dizziness, blurred vision, fatigue, etc. after blood drawing, you should lie down immediately and drink a small amount of sugar water. Wait until the symptoms are relieved before undergoing a physical examination.

④ If local bruising occurs, apply a warm towel for wet compress after 24 hours to promote absorption.

(3) Please inform the doctor of any medications and special physiological changes before the examination.