Research Article 
Mohammed Abed Abdulhussein¹, Haydar Jawad Al-Jobourim, Ali Ameer
Abstract
C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein synthesized by hepatocytes. In response to infection or tissue inflammation, CRP production is rapidly stimulated by cytokines, particularly interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the prognostic value of CRP levels at admission as an indicator of the severity or complication of CAP. Fifty patients with primary diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia during March 2013 to February 2014. A 25 patients were males and 25 females. The CRP measured by CRP-latex Slide agglutination method. Also patient underwent chest-x ray and patients were categorized into patients with CRP ≥ 100 mg/L and CRP < 100 mg/L22, and the complications (pleural effusion and lung abscess) were correlated to possible risk factors (HT, DM) and smoking. There is a significant increase in complication of CAP in patients with high CRP level (CRP ≥ 100 mg/L) ,so that CRP is highly sensitive, specific and accurate test to predict complication in CAP. The CRP affected by gender (female), age and diabetes mellitus in patient with CAP. There is no significant correlations between CRP level and smoking and hypertension in patient with CAP.
Key words: C-reactive protein (CRP); CAP; Diabetes Mellitus