CRP and Lung Ultrasound in Respiratory Evaluation
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Lung ultrasound, C-Reactive Protein Test.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Primary Health Care, Lower Respiratory Tract Infection. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Evaluation of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Along With C-Reactive Protein-Point of Care Tests Impact on Clinical Decision-making and Perceived Usefulness in Routine Healthcare Use in Patients With Lower Respiratory Tract Infection. Correlation Between C-Reactive Protein Concentrations and Lung Ultrasound Findings.
Overview
Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are one of the most common reasons for consultation in Primary Care centres. Differentiating between viral and bacterial aetiologies can be challenging, leading to inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. Lung ultrasound (LUS), an imaging test that gained particular relevance since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, offers several advantages over the classic chest X-ray in detecting and monitoring LRTIs, especially when pleural involvement exists. This study aims to correlate LUS findings with capillary blood C-Reactive Protein (CRP) values in patients with LRTIs, evaluating LUS as a diagnostic tool and its impact on therapeutic decisions. The descriptive observational study, conducted from January 2024 to December 2026 in Lleida, will include LRTI patients attending Primary Care centres. By validating LUS as a rapid and non-invasive diagnostic tool, unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions can be reduced, promoting LUS as a complementary test in Primary Care consultations. This will facilitate appropriate diagnosis and treatment decisions for patients with LRTIs, enhancing the overall management of respiratory infections.
Interventions
- Diagnostic test Lung ultrasound
Lung ultrasound will be performed to patients with suspected lower respiratory tract infections. - Diagnostic test C-Reactive Protein Test
C-Reactive Protein Test will be performed to patients with suspected lower respiratory tract infections.
Primary outcome measures
- Ultrasound patterns [Time frame: Each evaluation will be carried out during a dedicated ultrasound session, with an approximate duration of 15 minutes per participant.]
- C-Reactive Protein [Time frame: CRP levels will be measured at baseline.]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Age ≥ 18 years old
- Clinical suspicion of LRTI defined as acute illness lasting less than 21 days, with cough as the main symptom, accompanied by at least one other lower respiratory symptom (such as sputum production, dyspnoea, difficult breathing, or chest pain) without any other explanation for the clinical picture.
- Ability to read, understand and willingness to give written consent to participate in the study.
Exclusion criteria
- Patients who have been treated with antibiotics during the last 14 days up to inclusion.
- Patients with hemodynamic instability or that need emergency medical care due to the current clinical condition.
- Previous diagnosis of lung or pleural cancer.
- Thoracic surgery within the past 60 days.
- Lung interstitial diseases.
- Patients who refuse to participate in the study
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
Study locations
Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
Identifiers
NCT: NCT06294899 · 23/222-P