We present the clinical case of a 76-year-old woman with delirium caused
by multiple factors, including pneumonia. Although this type of case is quite
common in clinical practice, it provides us with an opportunity to discuss
laboratory testing in this context, with a special focus on the role of C-reactive
protein (CRP). We present data regarding the requests for determination of
serum CRP levels at the University of São Paulo University Hospital over
the past few years. We also present a review of the medical literature on the
topic, as well as clinical epidemiology concepts related to the impact that CRP
testing has on the medical decision-making process.
