CRP and systemic lupus erythematosus: A similar pattern was observed in SLE patients who received prednisone treatment, presenting higher CRP serum levels (with prednisone = 5.7 mg/L vs. without prednisone = 2.6 mg/L; p < 0.001) and a higher frequency of high CVD risk evaluated by CRP in comparison to SLE patients without prednisone treatment (with prednisone = 64.6% vs. without prednisone = 35.4%; p < 0.001).