Background: Acute pancreatitis is a condition with a spectrum of severity, and early assessment of its severity is crucial for effective management. C-reactive protein (CRP) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) are potential biomarkers for this purpose.

Methods: This single-center, cross-sectional observational study assessed 50 patients with acute pancreatitis at Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Bangalore, from October 2019 to July 2021. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of CRP and hs-CRP as indicators of severity, using Ranson’s and Glasgow scores for severity assessment. CRP and hs-CRP levels were measured and correlated with these scores.

Results: Of the 50 patients, the age group most affected was 51-60 years (40%), with a male predominance (66%). Patients with a Ranson’s score ≥3 had a mean serum CRP level of 29.38 ± 6.31 mg/l, significantly higher than those with a score <3 (22.32 ± 4.52 mg/l, p<0.01). Similarly, mean hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with more severe disease (Ranson’s score ≥3: 243450.81 ± 28541.13 ng/dl vs. <3: 173541.84 ± 18472.25 ng/dl, p<0.0001).

Conclusion: The study demonstrates a significant correlation between elevated levels of CRP and hs-CRP with higher severity scores in acute pancreatitis. These biomarkers could potentially serve as effective tools in the early identification of patients at risk for severe disease.