Relating Biopsychosocial Meanings to Semi-Quantitative CRP Readings Among Primary Healthcare Users: Trends from a Cross-Sectional Study Analysis

Background/Objectives: C-reactive protein (CRP) has been acknowledged to be associated with depression, loneliness, and stress, as well as physical health conditions. The aim of this study was to explore possible associations between CRP semi-quantitative readings and demographic, social, behavioral, and biomedical indices. Methods: Group sampling took place between May and July 2023, and from the 120 non-obese participants initially registered in the study, a random selection of n = 80 was performed for blood sampling in order to measure plasma semi-quantitative CRP (higher levels or ≥10 mg/L and lower or <10) and plasma dopamine. Blood sample collection took place between December 2023 and June 2024. Personal sociability, subjective loneliness, and perceived stress were assessed using relevant scales. Hierarchical multiple logistic regression analysis was also performed. Results: A unit increase in Body Mass Index (BMI) was related to higher odds for greater semi-quantitative CRP levels (OR = 1.26, p = 0.033) while for each unit increase in the Personal Sociability and Connections scale (PeSCs), the odds for higher CRP levels decreased (OR = 0.91, p = 0.025). Lower age (OR = 0.90, p = 0.009) and higher number of prescribed medications per day (OR = 4.21, p = 0.049) also showed significant associations with high semi-quantitative CRP levels. Plasma dopamine and other scale scores used did not show significant associations (p > 0.05), despite some interesting descriptive trends. Conclusions: The presented results suggest that age, BMI, number of prescribed medications per day, sociability, and CRP readings are constellated in everyday consultations.