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. 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.

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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

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