Sedimentation Rate - Crp Height And Obesity

Sedimentation Rate (English abbreviation ESR) and CRP (C-reactive Protein) have long been used as indicators of inflammation in the body and have even entered the colloquial language. While ESR primarily changes depending on age, CRP value varies according to the unit used by the laboratory. In the case of this high value, which is a concern among patients, if no obvious infection focus is found, patients usually take their breath in rheumatology outpatient clinics. However, of course, other rheumatoid diseases, especially Rheumatoid Arthritis, are not the only cause of high ESR and CRP. Unfortunately, obesity is an overlooked condition, especially in patients who have been researched for a long time and have undergone cancer screening.

Obesity itself is a cause of inflammation in the body, and this has been confirmed by many studies. In particular, a significant increase was observed in people with a Body Mass Index (BMI), which is obtained by dividing the body weight in meters by the square of the height in meters, over 35 kg/m2. In a study, it was shown that women with a BMI value over 35 kg/m2 experienced increased ESR and CRP 19.2 times more often than their normal-weight peers. This situation was found to be 13.6 times higher in females and 13.6 times more in males.

The reason for this is that adipose tissue also has a place in the production of IL-6, which is responsible for CRP production. 25% of circulating IL-6 is produced and released by adipose tissue. IL-6 increases CRP production in the liver. In addition, the adipose tissue around the belly produces more IL-6 than the subcutaneous adipose tissue. Perhaps the fact that women have more adipose tissue than men creates the difference we mentioned above.

High CRP and ESR create confusion among patients and doctors. First of all, it makes it difficult to diagnose the patient, and then it complicates the follow-up and treatment for rheumatology patients who are already diagnosed. Because many treatment changes are made according to these two values. In addition, it causes unnecessary expenditures in the health system and takes the time of the patient and health worker.

The duty of the doctor here is to know that obesity is a disease and to make the patient accept it. Since many patients are only obese, they should not be investigated further because of these rising values ​​and should be warned to lose weight urgently.

The studies mentioned above have also shown that weight loss and return to normal weight reverse these effects. By following such a method, the patient should be encouraged to lose weight.

Its patients, on the other hand, should abandon the idea that obesity is a feature that comes with age and at least accept the problem. Education is especially important here, especially in rural areas where carbohydrate-heavy diet is consumed, because everyone around him is obese and his body image is deteriorated, unfortunately the patient does not even accept that he is obese. When the patient who comes to the polyclinic with a wheelchair specially made for obese people and cannot even stand up due to obesity, is advised to lose weight, he can state that he is not overweight.

Finally, in my opinion, a patient is obliged to do everything that can improve his or her health before seeking help with his illness. For example, if it is not possible to help a patient who does not believe how smoking causes shortness of breath, it is not correct to rely solely on ESR and CRP without accepting that excess weight also has a detrimental effect on health.