The association of plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level with rheumatic heart disease: The possible role of inflammation

BACKGROUND: Currently, it is not clear whether recurrent traumatic events lead to progression of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) after the incident of acute rheumatic fever or a persistent inflammatory state at the site of the valves. The aim of this study was to assess the possible association between plasma high sensitive C Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) level as an indicator of inflammation and RHD. MATERIALS & METHODS: Ninety patients with RHD and 90 healthy controls who had undergone complete echocardiographic examination were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. A score was given to each patient according to the severity of valvular involvement. Plasma hs-CRP level was checked for each patient by ELISA method twice with two-week interval, and the mean hs-CRP was calculated. RESULTS: The mean plasma hs-CRP level in the case group was significantly higher compared to its level in the control group (2.59 ± 4.82 and 0.55 ± 0.43 in the case and control groups respectively, p < 0.001). There was also a strong association between the level of plasma hs-CRP and the severity of rheumatic valvular involvement (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The mean plasma hs-CRP level seems to have a significant association with RHD and its severity. Further studies are needed to determine the cause and effect relationship.