ESR and CRP Levels Can be Effective in Identifying and Predicting Infectious Complications after Spine Surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Inflammatory factors play an effective role in complications after surgery. C-Reactive Protein and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate are two important indicators related to inflammation presence in body. Present study was conducted with the aim of investigating predictive power of ESR and CRP in identifying inflammation after spine surgery.
Materials and methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 80 patients undergoing spine surgery. Patients were divided into two groups with complications and without complications. They were examined in terms of ESR and CRP biochemical indicators during 50 postoperative days on 6 occasions. The relationship of these factors with complications occurrence after surgery was evaluated with the help of SPSS statistical software.
Findings: Out of 80 patients, 13 had infectious complications. The average CRP for people who had complications was equal to 52.6 and for patients without complications was 31.9. With the passage of time, CRP increased in group with complications of infection from the fourteenth postoperative day, while in group without complications, the level of CRP decreased. These changes were statistically significant (P<0.05). The average ESR for patients with complications was 31.4 and for patients without complications was 37.5. The ESR level of patients with complications was higher than that of patients without complications, but it was not significant (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Checking CRP level can be effective in predicting Infectious Complication after spine surgery. Studies with a longer follow-up period can be effective in providing more accurate results.