Indian Journal of Medical Biochemistry

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VOLUME 22 , ISSUE 2 ( July-December, 2018 ) > List of Articles

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Serum High Sensitivity-C-reactive Protein and Hs-CRP/albumin Ratio in Workers Exposed to Lead from Lead-battery Manufacturing Process

Ravibabu Kalahasthi, Tapu Barman

Keywords : Blood lead, CDC/AHA risk categories of serum Hs-CRP, Hs-CRP/albumin ratio, Pb-exposure, ROC Curve.

Citation Information : Kalahasthi R, Barman T. Serum High Sensitivity-C-reactive Protein and Hs-CRP/albumin Ratio in Workers Exposed to Lead from Lead-battery Manufacturing Process. Indian J Med Biochem 2018; 22 (2):120-125.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10054-0068

License: CC BY-NC 3.0

Published Online: 01-06-2018

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2018; The Author(s).


Abstract

Purpose: The present study assessed the serum high sensitivity- C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) and Hs-CRP/albumin ratio of workers exposed to lead (Pb) from Pb-battery manufacturing process with the use of center for disease control and prevention (CDC)/american hospital association (AHA) recommended risk categories of serum Hs-CRP and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) to examine the diagnostic accuracy. Materials and methods: This study involved a total of 256 subjects, including both study and control. The study group consists of 176 workers involved in Pb-battery manufacturing process. Control group consists of 80 office workers with no occupational exposure to Pb. Blood lead levels (BLLs) in the study and control groups were determined with atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Serum Hs-CRP concentration was determined using the latex turbidimetric immunoassay method. Serum albumin concentration was measured by using the bromo-cresol green (BCG) method. The serum Hs-CRP/albumin ratio was calculated by dividing the serum Hs-CRP by the serum albumin. Analysis of data was done by using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS), version 20.0. Results: The mean levels of serum Hs-CRP and Hs-CRP/ albumin ratio were shown significantly higher in the study group than in the control group. The abnormal frequency distribution of serum Hs-CRP and Hs-CRP/albumin ratio among study group found significantly higher than in control. Spearmen correlation coefficients (r) was found a positive and significant association between BLLs and serum Hs-CRP (r = 0.190) and Hs-CRP/albumin ratio (r = 0.193). Area under the curve (AUC) of ROC values among the study group noted as 0.465 (95% of CI = 0.393-0.537, p = 0.366) for serum albumin, 0.601(95% of CI = 0.526-0.675, p = 0.010) for serum Hs-CRP and 0.598 (95% of CI = 0.524-0.672, P = 0.012) for Hs-CRP/ albumin ratio. Conclusion: The levels of Hs-CRP and Hs-CRP/albumin ratio were significantly increased in the study group as compared to the control and reduction of Pb-exposure is needed to avoid the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and atherosclerosis.


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