High Sensitivity CRP Assay is Better for Detecting Inflammation in Endometriosis
Author Information
Author(s): Vodolazkaia Alexandra, Bossuyt Xavier, Fassbender Amelie, Kyama Cleophas M, Meuleman Christel, Peeraer Karen, Tomassetti Carla, D'Hooghe Thomas M
Primary Institution: Leuven University Fertility Centre, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium
Hypothesis
A high sensitivity CRP assay (hsCRP) is more accurate than a classical CRP assay in the detection of subclinical inflammation in plasma of women with endometriosis.
Conclusion
The hsCRP assay was superior to the classical CRP assay for the detection of low CRP levels and for revealing subclinical inflammation in plasma of women with endometriosis.
Supporting Evidence
- The hsCRP assay detected CRP in 100% of samples, while the classical assay detected it in only 42.7%.
- Significantly increased CRP levels were found in women with endometriosis during the luteal phase using the hsCRP assay.
- The hsCRP assay showed higher sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing moderate-severe endometriosis compared to the classical assay.
- At a cut-off level of hsCRP > 0.71 mg/L, the hsCRP assay diagnosed moderate-severe endometriosis with 80.7% sensitivity.
Takeaway
A special test called hsCRP is much better at finding signs of inflammation in women with endometriosis than a regular test.
Methodology
CRP levels were measured by hsCRP and classical CRP assays in plasma samples from women with and without endometriosis.
Limitations
The study did not perform a power calculation as it was exploratory and relied on existing biobank samples.
Participant Demographics
204 women with endometriosis and 91 women without endometriosis.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p < 0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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