C-reactive protein: the best laboratory indicator available for monitoring disease activity

Abstract

Recent technical advances in measurement of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) have made this laboratory test highly specific, sensitive, reproducible, quantitative, and easy and rapid to perform. Several studies have shown that serial and quantitative measurement of serum C RP can be very helpful in monitoring disease activity in a wide variety of clinical situations, and that CRP testing offers distinct advantages over testing for any of the other acute-phase reactants. C RP testing is superior to erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) measurements on clinical, scientific, and practical grounds, and it is strongly recommended that serious consideration be given to replacing ESR with C RP testing for monitoring disease activity.