MEASUREMENT OF C-REACTIVE PROTEIN AND THE ERYTHROCYTE SEDIMENTATION-RATE IN GENERAL-PRACTICE

Objective - To evaluate the NycoCard:::CRP test (Nycomed A/S, Oslo, No rway) in relation to ESR in consecutive patients in general practice. NycoCard:::CRP test was also compared with a reference method for CRP quantitation. Design - C-reactive protein and ESR were simultaneously measured in 607 consecutive patients at four community health centres. Setting - Four community health centres in southern Sweden. Results - We obtained consistent results in 71% of the cases. In 20% CRP was in creased more than ESR, while ESR was increased more than CRP in 9% CRP was increased in 16% while ESR was below the upper reference limit fo r age and sex. On the other hand ESR was increased while CRP was below 10 mg/l in five % of the patients. In most of the cases where there w as a discrepancy- for example, in infectious diseases - the CRP result s were more clear-cut. Using the NycoCard test the CRP concentration c an be measured directly in a whole blood sample with the result availa ble within minutes. Comparison of the NycoCard:::CRP test with the ref erence method for CRP quantitation showed good agreement. Conclusion - In clinical situations with suspected inflammatory diseases, the CRP test appears often to yield more useful results than the ESR. The Nyco Card:::CRP test is suitable for use in general practice.