Fecal Calprotectin At The Time Of Diagnosis May Indicate The Presence Of Complications In Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Aim: We aimed to investigate the relationship between the presence of complications at the time of diagnosis or during follow-up and fecal calprotectin in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Materials and Methods: Fecal calprotectin level was studied by the chromatographic lateral flow immunoassay method. Results: A total of 76 patients, 26 (34%) with Crohn's disease and 50 (66%) with ulcerative colitis, were included in the study. At the time of diagnosis and during follow-up, complications were observed in 17 (22%) and 20 (26%) patients, respectively. At the time of diagnosis, fecal calprotectin level was low (<50 mg/kg) in 26 (34%) patients, borderline (50-100 mg/kg) in 16 (21%) patients, and high (>100 mg/kg) in 34 (45%) patients. Hemoglobin and albumin levels were lower (p=0.013, p=0.012, respectively), and platelet count, eryrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein levels were higher (p<0.001, p=0.004, p<0.001, respectively) in patients with high fecal calprotectin level than patients with low fecal calprotectin level. At the time of diagnosis and during follow-up, complications were higher in patients with high fecal calprotectin level than patients with low and borderline fecal calprotectin levels (p=0.001). The risk of developing complications was found to be 26 times higher at the time of diagnosis in patients with fecal calprotectin level >100 µg/g than patients with fecal calprotectin level below this value and 8 times higher during follow-up (p=0.006, p=0.015, respectively). Conclusion: The use of fecal calprotectin level together with tests showing acute inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease may predict the development of complications.