Clinical Significance of C-reactive Protein in Measles

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We evaluated clinical manifestations and laboratory findings in patients with measles according to C-reactive protein(CRP) concentration. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed using the medical records of patients with measles at The Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital from October 1999 to May 2000. We divided the patients with measles into four groups according to CRP level, i.e., those with below 5 mg/L(134 patients, negative group), those with 6-19 mg/L(85 patients), those with 20-49 mg/L(27 patients), and those over 50 mg/L(7 patients). We compared clinical and laboratory characteristics among these four groups. RESULTS: The mean CRP level of all patients was 11.1+/-7.5 mg/L. No statistical differences were present between the negative group and the 6-19 mg/L group or the 20-49 mg/L group in the duration of fever, hospitalization days, complications determined with longer hospitalization for more than eight days, white blood cell count, and incidence of hepatitis. Compared with the negative group, the over 50 mg/L group showed a longer duration of fever(4.7+/-1.7 vs 7.2+/-3.9 days), duration of hospitalization(5.4+/-1.4 vs 9.4+/-4.7 days), incidence of complications(5.2% vs 42.9%) and a higher mean level of WBC count(5,900+/-2,700/mm3 vs 12,700+/-6,700/mm3). With an increasing CRP level, there was a tendency for the duration of fever, complications and WBC count to increase. However the levels of liver enzymes(AST/ALT) were not associated with CRP level. CONCLUSION: A CRP level of over 50 mg/L in measles is associated with severity and complications.