[antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies in inflammatory bowel disease].
BACKGROUND
The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and diagnostic usefulness of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in a Spanish population of patients with inflammatory bowel disease from the province of Tarragona.


METHODS
One hundred and fifty-six sera obtained from 116 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (75 ulcerative colitis and 41 Crohn's disease) and 40 healthy controls were tested using an indirect immunofluorescence assay.


RESULTS
ANCA were detected in 65% of patients with ulcerative colitis but in only 12% of patients with Crohn's disease (p < 0.01), and 2.5% of control subjects (p < 0.01). The overall sensitivity of the test for the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis was 65% with a specificity of 88% and a positive predictive value of 91%. Among patients with ulcerative colitis there was no relationship between the presence or titre of ANCA and the duration, the clinical course, the extent, the disease activity or the need for medical treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
In the population studied, ANCA occur more commonly in ulcerative colitis than in Crohn's disease, as reported in other populations. Their determination in patients with inflammatory bowel disease may be useful to differentiate ulcerative colitis from Crohn's disease.
Papo
M
M
Sección de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario de Tarragona Joan XXIII, Universitat Rovira i Virgill.
Quer
J C
JC
Pastor
R M
RM
García-Pardo
G
G
Olona
M
M
Prats
E
E
Mirapeix
E
E
Rodríguez
R
R
Richart
C
C
D000328:Adult; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000097:blood*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000097:blood; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013030:Spain
D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
Anticuerpos anticitoplasma de neutrófilo en la enfermedad inflamatoria del intestino.