Correlation of calprotectin serum levels with degrees of endometriosis: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Endometriosis is closely associated with delayed diagnosis due to the lack of a definitive and sensitive noninvasive approach. The use of calprotectin in inflammatory process has been demonstrated in various inflammatory diseases. Calprotectin has a significant correlation with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs- CRP) and could be used as an inflammatory marker. No study thus far has evaluated the correlation between calprotectin and endometriosis. Objective: To determine the correlation of calprotectin with the degree of endometriosis in order to help clinicians in establishing better early detection and management. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 46 women referred to the Cipto Mangunkusumo, Fatmawati, and Persahabatan Hospitals in Jakarta, Indonesia between July 2017 and April 2018 were enrolled, and their blood serum were taken a day before surgery. Calprotectin serum level was treated using the Phical® ELISA method. After the diagnosis of endometriosis was confirmed through pathological examination, the final diagnosis of endometriosis could be established. The degree of endometriosis was classified according to the revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) classification. Results: The prevalence of minimal, mild, moderate, and severe degrees of endometriosis were 15.2, 39.1, 34.8, and 10.9%, respectively. The median serum calprotectin levels for minimal, mild, moderate, and severe endometriosis were 138.98, 121.49, 124.16, and 122.82 mg/mL, respectively. No correlation was observed between calprotectin and the degrees of endometriosis (r = –0.16, p = 0.278). Conclusion: There is no correlation between calprotectin serum levels and the degrees of endometriosis. Key words: Calprotectin, Endometriosis, C-reactive protein, Inflammation.