Faecal calprotectin concentrations in gastrointestinal diseases

Abstract

Objective To quantify faecal calprotectin concentrations in a variety of gastrointestinal disorders in order to determine its diagnostic value. Methods Patients with gastrointestinal symptoms undergoing upper or lower endoscopy and healthy control subjects provided stool samples. Calprotectin was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The study recruited 210 patients with definitively diagnosed gastrointestinal diseases and 50 control subjects. Calprotectin concentrations were significantly higher in patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease compared with controls, or patients with colorectal polyps or irritable bowel syndrome. The faecal calprotectin concentration significantly differentiated between inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and non-IBD (area under ROC curve 0.949). Calprotectin concentrations were significantly higher in patients with oesophageal polyps or gastric neoplasms than in those with chronic gastritis, stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers or acute pancreatitis. Conclusion Calprotectin may be a useful noninvasive marker for the diagnosis of IBD.