ASSOCIATION OF C - REACTIVE PROTEIN WITH SERUM PROTEIN LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH EARLY-STAGE CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
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Keywords
C-reactive protein(CRP)
Abstract
Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with metabolic, inflammatory, and nutritional disturbances that begin early in the disease course. Low-grade inflammation, reflected by elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), may contribute to alterations in serum protein levels, even in early-stage CKD.
Objective: To evaluate the association between C-reactive protein and serum protein parameters in patients with early-stage chronic kidney disease.
Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry at a tertiary care hospital in Indore from May 2020 to December 2025. A total of 200 adult subjects were screened, of whom 32 were diagnosed with early-stage CKD (Stages 1–2) based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), while 168 served as non-CKD controls. Fasting venous blood samples were collected for estimation of serum albumin, total protein, globulin, albumin-to-globulin (A/G) ratio, serum creatinine, and C-reactive protein. eGFR was calculated using the Cockcroft–Gault formula. Data were analysed using SPSS software, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient was applied to assess the association between CRP and serum protein parameters.
Results: Early-stage CKD prevalence was 16%. CKD patients had lower mean serum albumin (3.41 ± 0.42 g/dL), total protein (6.12 ± 0.58 g/dL), and A/G ratio (1.28 ± 0.21) compared to non-CKD subjects. Stage-wise analysis showed a significant decline in serum albumin and A/G ratio from Stage 1 to Stage 2 CKD, with a corresponding rise in CRP levels (5.4 ± 2.1 mg/L to 7.9 ± 2.6 mg/L; p < 0.05). CRP showed significant negative correlations with serum total protein (r = −0.49), serum albumin (r = −0.52), and A/G ratio (r = −0.47).
Conclusion: Elevated CRP levels are significantly associated with reduced serum protein parameters in early-stage CKD, highlighting the role of inflammation in early nutritional and protein alterations and emphasizing the importance of early monitoring.
References
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Kajal Mahajan
PhD Scholar, Department of Biochemistry, Index Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Indore, (M.P) India (Malwanchal University) Email – [email protected]
Dr. Shreya Nigoskar
Professor & Head, Department of Biochemistry, Index Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Indore (M.P)India. (Malwanchal University) Email- [email protected]
Dr. Pankaj Nema
Associate Professor Department of Forensic Medicine and toxicology, Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore (MP),Email- [email protected]
