Feasibility of using C-reactive protein for point-of-care testing

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein (CRP) point-of-care testing (POCT) can be a valuable tool for decision making in primary care. Very few studies have illustrated the utilization of CRP POCT. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review on the use of CRP POCT in primary care settings and to examine its feasibility and acceptability in an outpatient primary care setting. METHODS: The search was conducted via PubMed. Final articles in the systematic review met inclusion and exclusion criteria. For the feasibility and acceptability analysis, a convenience sample of 20 adult subjects was enrolled and CRP POCT was conducted. RESULTS: Antibiotic prescription was the most predominant outcome assessed, and antibiotic prescription reduction was the most common finding of CRP POCT effectiveness testing. CONCLUSION: CRP POCT can be used to detect inflammation and can reduce antibiotic prescription in primary care. It is a satisfactory procedure that should be available in the primary care setting.