C-reactive protein levels in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients and to evaluate the significance of serum CRP levels in predicting the severity of hypertension. MATERIAL AND METHODS

The present study was conducted to assay C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, a marker of systemic inflammation, in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients and to evaluate the significance of serum CRP levels in predicting the severity of hypertension. One hundred newly diagnosed hypertensive patients between 20 to 65 years of age were taken for study. Serum CRP levels were measured using latex agglutination method and patients were categorised into 3 groups according to the CRP levels. Group I (0 < 0.6 mg/dl), group II (0.6 < 1.2 mg/dl), group III (> 1.2 mg/dl). It was observed that higher levels of CRP correlated significantly with the higher stage of hypertension (p< 0.0001). Increasing levels of CRP values also showed statistically significant correlation with pulse pressure ( p< 0.014) and mean arterial pressure (p < 0.0001). The raised levels of CRP in patients showed more prevalence of higher grade of hypertension. Increasing CRP levels also showed more prevalence of increased pulse pressure and mean arterial pressure. It is concluded that higher CRP levels are significantly correlated with higher stage of hypertension, suggesting the possibility of inflammatory pathogenesis in hypertension. Hence, CRP estimation should be recommended in evaluation and prognostication of all hypertensive patients.