What is the Difference Between CRP and hs-CRP?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚C-reactive protein (CRP) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) are both proteins made by the liver that increase when there's inflammation in the body. The difference between the two lies in their sensitivity and the diseases they are used to diagnose.
- Standard CRP: This test is used to evaluate advanced inflammation and is often employed to check for early inflammation and infection. It measures CRP levels within the range of 10 to 1,000 mg/L.
- High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP): This test is more sensitive than the standard CRP test and can detect smaller increases in CRP levels. It is considered a marker of low-grade vascular inflammation and is used to assess cardiovascular disease risk. Hs-CRP measurements range from 0.5 to 10 mg/L. The conventional CRP test measures a wide range, while CRP-hs is indicated for cardiovascular risk assessment.
Normal values for CRP and hs-CRP vary:
- For CRP to assess inflammation, the normal value is less than 5 mg/L.
- For hs-CRP to assess cardiovascular disease risk, the normal value is less than 0.3 mg/dL. Low cardiovascular risk is defined as hs-CRP less than 1 mg/L, while moderate risk is between 1 and 3 mg/L, and high risk is more than 3 mg/L.
In summary, the main difference between CRP and hs-CRP is their sensitivity, with hs-CRP being more sensitive and used to assess cardiovascular risk, while standard CRP is used to evaluate advanced inflammation.
Comparative Table: CRP vs hs-CRP
Here is a table comparing the differences between CRP (C-Reactive Protein) and hs-CRP (High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein):
| Feature | CRP | hs-CRP |
|---|---|---|
| Range of measurement | 10 mg/L to 1000 mg/L (1.0 g/L) | 0.3 mg/L to 10 mg/L |
| Sensitivity | Measures markedly high levels of CRP | Measures lower levels of CRP more accurately |
| Specificity | Detects inflammation and infection, as well as post-surgery or trauma | More specific for detecting inflammation related to atherosclerosis |
| Purpose | Detects early inflammation and infection | Assesses cardiovascular disease risk |
| Normal Values | < 5 mg/L for inflammation assessment | < 0.3 mg/dL for cardiovascular risk assessment |
| Low Cardiovascular Risk | CRP < 1 mg/L | CRP < 1 mg/L |
CRP is a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation and is used as a marker to evaluate the level of inflammation in the body. There are two tests that measure CRP: the standard CRP test and the high-sensitivity CRP test (hs-CRP). The standard CRP test measures CRP within the range of 10 to 1000 mg/L, while the hs-CRP test measures CRP within the range of 0.3 to 10 mg/L. The hs-CRP test is considered more accurate for predicting cardiovascular disease risk due to its ability to measure lower levels of CRP and its specificity for detecting inflammation related to atherosclerosis.
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