<![CDATA[Background: Smoking is a major risk factor for chronic inflammation that plays a crucial role in the development of degenerative diseases, particularly cardiovascular disorders. Inflammatory responses induced by cigarette smoke exposure can be assessed using sensitive inflammatory biomarkers such as high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as well as nonspecific inflammatory parameters like the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Objective: This study aimed to analyze the correlation between hs-CRP levels and ESR values among active smokers at PT. ASA Surabaya. Methods: This study employed an analytical cross-sectional design and was conducted at Parahita Laboratory, Surabaya, from April to May 2022. The study sample consisted of 30 active smokers selected using purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected through laboratory examinations of hs-CRP and ESR from blood samples. Statistical analysis was performed using the Spearman correlation test to evaluate the relationship between the two variables. Results: The findings showed that the majority of respondents had hs-CRP levels greater than 3 mg/dL, indicating a high-risk category (90%), while most respondents had ESR values within the normal range (73.33%). Statistical analysis revealed a p-value of 0.792 (p>0.05), indicating no significant correlation between hs-CRP levels and ESR values among active smokers. Conclusion: Elevated hs-CRP levels in active smokers are not consistently accompanied by increased ESR values, suggesting that hs-CRP is more sensitive in detecting subclinical inflammation than ESR. Therefore, hs-CRP is recommended as a more reliable inflammatory biomarker for active smokers, and further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these findings]]>
