Predictive value of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein in Behcet's disease activity and manifestations: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Behcet’s disease (BD) as a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the eyes, skin, central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract and vessels. According to the literature, the exact value of C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in predicting active manifestations of BD remains controversial. In this study, we aim to assess and compare values of ESR and CRP between BD patients with active/inactive BD and active/inactive manifestations of the disease. Moreover, we try to determine the predictive value of ESR and CRP for disease activity. METHODS: Participants (n = 514) were drug-naïve BD patients; Based on last two visits, ESR and CRP values, disease activity, and active manifestations were recorded. The Man-Whitney U test measured the associations, and the binomial logistic regression evaluated the predictive value of ESR and CRP for active disease and each active manifestation. The sensitivity and specificity and the area under the curve (AUC) for each model were determined using receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC). Multiple regressions were run to predict BD activity score from ESR and CRP. RESULT: Patients with active oral, genital, joint and dermal manifestations had higher ESR and CRP values (Mann–Whitney U test, p < 0.05 for all). Binomial logistic regressions showed that ESR had valuable predictive value for active BD (OR = 1.09 [1.04–1.13], AUC = 0.79 [0.74–0.83], p < 0.001) and active vascular manifestations (1.03 [1.01–1.05], AUC = 0.85 [0.79–0.92], p < 0.001). CRP had good predictive value for active vascular manifestations (OR 1.98 [1.45–2.72], AUC = 0.86 [0.8–0.91], p < 0.001). The optimal value of ESR ≥ 10.5 and ESR ≥ 42.5 could predict active BD and active vascular manifestations with sensitivity, specificity = 71%, 75% and = 81%, 83% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: ESR and CRP are both associated with active BD and most manifestations of the diseases. They can be used for the prediction of active BD and active vascular manifestations in BD patients. Further studies can help to confirm the findings of the current research.