Fecal markers of inflammation used as surrogate markers for treatment outcome in relapsing inflammatory bowel disease

• Aims: To evaluate fecal calprotectin (FC) as a surrogate marker for treatment outcome of a relapse of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and, secondly, to compare FC to fecal myeloperoxidase (MPO) and fecal eosinophil protein X (EPX). Methods: Thirty-eight patients with IBD, whereof twenty-seven with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 11 with Crohn´s disease (CD) were studied before treatment (inclusion), and after four and eight weeks of treatment. Treatment outcome, based on clinical activity and endoscopy in UC patients, and clinical activity in CD patients, were evaluated together with fecal samples analysed for FC with ELISA and MPO and EPX with RIA. Results: At inclusion 37/38 (97%) patients had elevated FC levels (>94.7 µg/g). At the end of the study 31/38 (82%) patients fulfilled predefined criteria of a complete response [UC 21/27 (78%); CD 10/11 (91%)].  Overall, a normalised FC level at the end of the study predicted a complete response in 100% whereas elevated FC level predicted noncomplete response in 30%. Normalised MPO or EPX levels predicted a complete response in 100% and 90%, respectively. However, elevated MPO or EPX levels predicted noncomplete response in 23% and 22%, respectively. Conclusion: A normalised FC level poses the potential to be used as a surrogate marker for successful treatment outcome in IBD patients, but cases with persistent elevated FC levels needs further evaluation. FC and MPO appears to discriminate better than EPX to treatment outcome in IBD.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Gastroenterologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Gastroenterology and Hepatology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Fecal markers

calprotectin

myeloperoxidase

eosinophil protein X treatment

inflammatory bowel disease

ulcerative colitis

Crohn´s disease

Gastroenterology

Gastroenterologi

Medicin

Medicine

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