Which test is a clinical indicator for elevated inflammation in juvenile idiopathic arthritis?

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation. In juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), which is characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints, elevated levels of CRP are often found during flares of the disease. This makes CRP a useful clinical indicator for assessing the level of inflammation and disease activity in patients with JIA.

Monitoring CRP levels can help guide the treatment decisions and evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy being used. In contrast, a complete blood count (CBC) may provide some information about the overall hemoglobin levels and white cell count, but it is not as specific for inflammation as CRP. Blood glucose levels and serum electrolytes do not serve as indicators for inflammation in JIA and are irrelevant for assessing the inflammatory status of the disease. Thus, CRP is a direct marker of inflammation and is the most appropriate choice for indicating elevated inflammation in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.