[Importance of high C-reactive protein in patients with chronic renal disease]

An elevated serum C reactive protein [CRP] has been shown to be strongly predictive of morbidity and mortality in dialysis patients. However, little information is available regarding CRP levels in predialysis renal failure. The aim of our study was, determine the significance of high CRP levels in pre dialysis patients. In a cross- sectional study 100 pre dialysis patients were studied. The CRP levels, nutritional data [body mass index [BMI], serum albumin, cholestrol, triglycerides], hematocrit [HCT], hemoglobin [Hb], serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, urinary protein levels and blood pressure were measured and compared between patients with high [>6mg/l] or low [<6mg/l] CRP levels. In 100 chronic pre dialysis patients mean age was 48/8 +/- 12/8 years. CRP was greater than 6mg/l in 35%. We found some satistical relationship between high serum CRP levels and BMI, creatinine clearance, serum Albumin, serum cholestrol and high blood pressure. The prevalence of inflammation is high in predialysis patients. As occurs in dialysis patients, predialysis inflammation predicts morbidity in pre dialysis stage but further investigation should be done in this regard