EVALUATING FECAL CALPROTECTIN AS A PREDICTOR OF INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE FLARE

Abstract

 Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), encompassing ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, is marked by chronic gastrointestinal inflammation and unpredictable flare-ups that necessitate ongoing monitoring. Traditional diagnostic tools like colonoscopy, while effective, are invasive and resource-intensive. This study evaluates fecal calprotectin—a neutrophil-derived protein—as a non-invasive biomarker to predict IBD flare-ups and guide clinical management. 150 patients who had been diagnosed with IBD took part in a cross-sectional survey.  Clinical information, scores for main symptoms and markers of disease activity were obtained; ELISA was performed to measure faecal calprotectin.  The study looked at how biomarker levels matched with clinical outcomes in subgroups sorted by disease, gender, flare status and age.  Analyses involved descriptive comparison, t-tests and ROC curves.  Those patients whose flare measures were greater than 170 μg/g had higher faecal calprotectin amounts than patients in remission.  Those affected by Crohn’s disease were found to have greater calprotectin levels and worse symptoms compared to people with ulcerative colitis.  Female patients experiencing active flares typically have the highest calprotectin concentrations, says a gender-based study.  Measuring calprotectin levels (p < 0.01) aligned strongly with scores of symptoms and activity in the disease; ROC testing proved calprotectin is a powerful predictor.  Images showed various calprotectin distribution patterns based on a child’s age and disease flares; the early-onset and late-onset age groups had more inflammatory markers in the intestines.  It is demonstrated from the results how valuable calprotectin is in noticing silent inflammation, allowing early evidence-based treatment. Faecal calprotectin is a simple and reliable way to predict that an IBD flare-up will occur.  Since it closely relates to disease symptoms and current activity, VS need to be included in usual patient monitoring.  These findings back up a new approach where IBD treatment depends on a patient’s biomarkers.