Infections

• Elevated CRP is common with bacterial, viral, or fungal infections and can be used to monitor the course of an infection (e.g., sepsis).

Autoimmune Diseases

• Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease often show moderate to high CRP levels, reflecting ongoing inflammation.

Cardiovascular Risk and Tissue Injury

• Elevated CRP levels, particularly when measured by high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events.

Acute Tissue Injury

• Markedly high CRP may occur after major trauma or surgery as part of the systemic inflammatory response.

‍

Absence of Significant Inflammation

• Normal CRP:
  Normal CRP indicates little to no acute systemic inflammation.
• Clinical Significance of Low-Grade Elevations:
  Even low-grade CRP elevations may be meaningful in chronic conditions or as part of age-related "inflammaging."

‍

Age and Health Status Considerations

• Threshold Variability:
  CRP thresholds differ based on age and overall health status.
• Elderly Patients:
  They may exhibit persistent low-grade increases in CRP.
• Pregnancy:
  Physiological changes during pregnancy can modestly alter CRP levels without indicating pathology.

‍