Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2024 Nov 18;39(44):e319.
doi: 10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e319.

Current Status of Co-Ordering of C-Reactive Protein and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Testing in Korea

Se-Eun Koo #  1 , Jiyeon Kim #  2 , Jinyoung Hong  3 , Kuenyoul Park  4
Affiliations

Current Status of Co-Ordering of C-Reactive Protein and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Testing in Korea

Se-Eun Koo et al. J Korean Med Sci. .

Abstract

We retrospectively examined current trends in ordering for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) testing. All claims corresponding to ESR and CRP testing for hospital visits in 2022 were obtained from a platform operated by the Health Insurance and Review Agency. The annual (2018-2022) utilization and cost of ESR and CRP, total inpatient days, and patient encounters with outpatients were retrieved. The number of ESR and CRP tests gradually increased over 5 years, except a slight decrease in 2020. The proportion of claims with co-ordering of ESR and CRP tests was 46.64%. More than 60% co-ordering claims were observed in orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, and plastic surgery departments. The proportion of co-orders was relatively high in inpatient setting and primary hospitals. This study indicated frequent co-ordering patterns of ESR and CRP tests, highlighting an urgent need for diagnostic stewardship programs on ESR and CRP testing in Korea.

Keywords: C-Reactive Protein; Choosing Wisely; Co-ordering; Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate; Laboratory Stewardship.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Yearly distribution of number of patients (A, outpatient; B, inpatient) and testing (C, outpatient; D, inpatient) for CRP and ESR.
CRP = C-reactive protein, ESR = erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Association between departments and co-ordering of CRP and ESR testing in terms of the number (A, outpatient; B, inpatient) and proportion (C, outpatient; D, inpatient) of claims. The order of departments was determined according to the number of claims with co-ordering of CRP and ESR testing.
CRP = C-reactive protein, ESR = erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. Association of hospital types and co-ordering of CRP and ESR testing in terms of the number (A, outpatient; B, inpatient) and proportion (C, outpatient; D, inpatient) of claims. The order of hospital types was determined according to the number of claims.
CRP = C-reactive protein, ESR = erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Colombet I, Pouchot J, Kronz V, Hanras X, Capron L, Durieux P, et al. Agreement between erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein in hospital practice. Am J Med. 2010;123(9):863.e7–863.e13. - PubMed
    1. Feldman M, Aziz B, Kang GN, Opondo MA, Belz RK, Sellers C. C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate discordance: frequency and causes in adults. Transl Res. 2013;161(1):37–43. - PubMed
    1. American Society for Clinical Pathology. Thirty five things physicians and patients should question. [Updated 2020]. [Accessed May 1, 2024]. https://www.choosingwisely.org/societies/american-society-for-clinical-p...
    1. Korean Society for Laboratory Medicine. Laboratory test utilization management: appropriateness of ESR and CRP test order. [Updated 2020]. [Accessed May 1, 2024]. https://www.kslm.org/eNewsletter/2020_03/newsletter_51.pdf?v=2004290609 .
    1. Kim JA, Yoon S, Kim LY, Kim DS. Towards actualizing the value potential of Korea Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) data as a resource for health research: strengths, limitations, applications, and strategies for optimal use of HIRA data. J Korean Med Sci. 2017;32(5):718–728. - PMC - PubMed

Substances