Abstract

Background: Allergic rhinitis is a major chronic respiratory disease due to its prevalence, impact on the quality of life, impact on work/school performance and productivity, economic burden, and link with asthma. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of inflammation and infection. A positive relationship has been shown between raised CRP levels in allergic rhinitis and asthma.

Aim and Objective: This study aims to evaluate high sensitivity CRP levels in allergic rhinitis cases and in controls.

Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in the Department of Physiology at People’s College of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The study was done on 80 male and female subjects of the age group of 18–40 years. Forty males and females suffering from allergic rhinitis attending the Ear, Nose, and Throat Outpatient Department of People’s College of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bhopal, were taken as the cases. Forty healthy male and female employees of various constituent institutes of people’s university were taken as controls after careful selection as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. CRP was done by latex-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay (CRP kit).

Results: The levels of CRP were significantly higher in allergic rhinitis cases (P < 0.001) as compared to controls (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that the concentration of CRP was increased in allergic rhinitis cases as compared to the controls. In allergic rhinitis, there is inflammation of the airways and so the levels of CRP are elevated.

Key words: Allergic Rhinitis; C-reactive Protein; Inflammation