Evaluating the Relationship between C-reactive protein levels and White Blood Cell Count, Red Blood Cell Count, Platelet Count, and Hemoglobin Concentration in Infectious Disease Patients in Western Libya

Abstract

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an established marker of inflammation. Higher levels of CRP, above 10 mg/L, usually reflect active inflammation or infection. Inflammatory and infectious diseases frequently present with systemic manifestations and are associated with hematological changes.
Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the correlation between CRP levels and red blood cell count, white blood cell count, platelet count, and hemoglobin concentration in infectious diseases.
Materials and methods: A prospective study was conducted in Tripoli city at the National General Authority for Organ, Tissue, and Cell Transplantation and in Zawia city at Jama’a Al-Tibb Clinic (Libya). It was included 214 patients were included during the period from October 2025 to December 2025. Informed consent was obtained from each patient using a questionnaire. A detailed medical history and physical examination, including gender and age, were recorded. In addition, CRP level, WBCs count, RBCs count, and platelets count were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel. Students’ t-tests, One-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlations were used and calculated. P - values ​​< 0.05 were considered significant.
Results: The study involved 214 participants, predominantly female adults, and found that 61.7% had elevated CRP levels. Higher CRP levels were significantly correlated with increased WBC counts and advanced age, particularly in elderly patients. While CRP showed a positive correlation with WBC and age, it was inversely related to hemoglobin concentration and showed no link to platelet counts. Significant gender differences were observed in CRP and WBC levels, though hemoglobin and platelet counts remained relatively consistent across groups.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that elevated CRP levels were positively correlated with WBC counts and age, particularly among elderly patients, while showing an inverse relationship with hemoglobin. Furthermore, significant gender variations exist in inflammatory markers, though platelet counts remain unaffected by CRP fluctuations across the study population.