Abstract:

Background and objective: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an annular pentameric protein found in blood plasma, whose levels rise in response to information. It is an acute protein of hepatic origin that increases following interlukin-6 secretion by macrophages and T cells. Elevated serum levels of CRP have been associated with an increased risk of cancer and high levels have been recorded in some types of cancer. However, it is unclear weather is common is certain types or if this association is causal. This study aimed to determine the proportion of cancer patients with elevated CRP and associated factors among patients with different types of cancers attending oncology unit at Bugando medical centre in Mwanza Tanzania.

Methodology: This cross sectional hospital based study included 200 participants conducted from May to July 2019 at Bugando medical centre, Mwanza Tanzania. Sociodemographic and other relevant information was collected using structured pretested data collection tool. Semi quantitative detection of CRP was done using Agglutination test. Data were analyzed using STATA version 13.0 software according to the objectives of the study.

Results: The mean age of enrolled participant was 50.93±19.22 years. Among 200 participants, 65 (32.5%, 95% CI: 26.0-38.9) were found to have elevated levels of CRP. Among of the factors studied in this population, the prevalence of CRP in this study was significantly associated with short duration of cancer and short duration of treatment, Chi-square=8.7268, p=0.013 and Chi-square=7.507, p=0.0234) respectively.

Conclusion: Elevated levels of CRP in cancer individuals are associated with increased number of days of cancer and treatment of cancer where by those with less than 3 months duration of cancer and those with less three months of treatment were significantly higher compared to those with greater than twelve months.