Fecal Calprotectin Measurement Benefits IBD Diagnosis in Children, Study Says

Even though it is a relativity new test, fecal calprotectin is now regularly being used in diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease, more specifically to distinguish between IBS and IBD.

Diagnosing children with IBD can be challenging and being able to differentiate IBD from other gastrointestinal disorders means relying on several diagnostic tools such as a patient’s medical history, physical examination, and an endoscopic procedure. 

A new study that is for diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease in children made use of inflammatory markers in addition to symptoms for diagnosis. But this invasive procedure was unpleasant hence researchers thought whether the accuracy of an IBD diagnosis in children could be done through fecal calprotectin test. For this two main databases were taken that could in pediatric patients with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms, review the potential of IBD diagnosis. These two were EMBASE and MEDLINE.

8 studies were analyzed by the researchers. They noted that differentiation between pediatric patients with and without IBD could be allowed by fecal calprotectin test. Moreover this method for diagnosing IBD was the best marker. Presence of active inflammation in the body is indicated by elevated fecal calprotectin levels.

This test showed a reduction rate from 16 to 9 percent in those with IBD and was inaccurately classified as being at low risk. Whereas it showed an increase rate of 33 to 91 percent in those without IBD and were accurately classified as being at high risk. Whereas this test showed a reduction rate of 55 to 60 percent in those at intermediate risk. To suggest that this test can be further confirmed by clinical follow up or endoscopy the researchers gathered enough evidence.

To determine the potential of fetal protection other studies have also been conducted. In one study to distinguish between IB S and IBD in patients with chronic diarrhoea, made use of faecal calprotectin. 119 patients were reviewed and 98 underwent histology and colonoscopy. According to the results unnecessary tests could be avoided by using fecal calprotectin since it can eliminate those without IBD.

Another study to properly diagnose from IBD to diagnose other organic causes of chronic diarrhoea, made use of fecal calprotectin. 70 adults and 50 children were gathered. In order to identify the cause, the patients underwent a complete diagnostic examination. 80 percent specificity was shown by the adult population, 64 percent sensitivity was shown with 74 percent negative and 70 percent positive results. Moreover it showed 93 percent specificity in pediatric population and along with 96 percent positive and 56 percent negative it showed 70 percent sensitivity.

Overall this test serves as an accurate diagnostic marker in both adults and children for IBD. The presence of cirrhosis and use of NSAIDs was indicated by false positive results in adults while the presence of celiac disease in adults was indicated by false negative test. Higher diagnostic accuracy was revealed by the results in children. Even though this test is new but in diagnosing IBD this test is being used regularly. More specifically this test is being used to distinguish between IBD and IBS.

In assessing disease activity and severity calprotectin levels have shown great values. On mucosal healing the biomarker concentration is reflected highly. In clinical remission this helps IBD patients. Unnecessary invasive procedures can be avoided in patients with IBS by making use of fecal calprotectin. However to aid in diagnosis, additional tests can be made use of. Hence diagnosis of IBD has not only improved by accuracy of calprotectin levels but it has also helped to allow the patients to properly predict relapses in IBD and start proper treatment.