C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate associate with bone graft union in patients with spinal tuberculosis following internal fixation / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis clearance, bone graft, internal fixation with or without plate for patients with spinal tuberculosis always lead to C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) changes, which are associated with bone graft union time to certain degree.OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between CRP, ESR and bone graft union time in patients with spinal tuberculosis.METHODS: A total of 60 patients with spinal tuberculosis underwent tuberculose focus clearance, autologous iliac bone grafting, and internal fixation without or with plate, including 38 undergoing fixation and 22 not undergoing fixation. They were divided into mild elevation, moderate elevation, high elevation, and extremely high elevation groups according to CRP and ESR. Correlation between CRP, ESR and bone graft union time was analyzed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) CRP there were 18 cases of mild elevation, 21 of moderate elevation, 13 of high elevation and 8 of extremely high elevation. There were significant differences in bone union time among groups (P=0.003). Spearman correlation analysis showed a correlation coefficient r=0.420, P=0.001, indicating positive correlation between CPR and bone union time. (2) ESR there were 16 cases of mild elevation, 20 of moderate elevation, 13 of high elevation and 11 of extremely high elevation. There were significant differences in bone union time among groups (P=0.003). Spearman correlation analysis showed a correlation coefficient r=0.414, P=0.001, indicating positive correlation between ESR and bone union time. (3) Bone union was rapider in fixation group compared with non-fixation group, indicating that immediate, strong fixation can benefit bone union.