High prevalence of NSAID enteropathy as shown by a simple faecal test.
BACKGROUND
The diagnosis of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) induced enteropathy is difficult, requiring enteroscopy or the use of four day faecal excretion of (111)In labelled white cells.


OBJECTIVE
To assess faecal calprotectin (a non-degraded neutrophil cytosolic protein) as a method for diagnosing NSAID enteropathy.


METHODS
Single stool faecal calprotectin concentrations were compared with the four day faecal excretion of (111)In labelled white cells in 47 patients taking NSAIDs. The prevalence and severity of NSAID enteropathy was assessed using this method in 312 patients (192 with rheumatoid arthritis, 65 with osteoarthritis, 55 with other conditions) taking 18 different NSAIDs.


RESULTS
The four day faecal excretion of (111)In white cells correlated significantly with faecal calprotectin concentrations. In the group of 312 patients on NSAIDs faecal calprotectin concentrations were significantly higher than in controls, the prevalence of NSAID enteropathy being 44%. The prevalence and severity of NSAID enteropathy was independent of the particular type or dose of NSAID being taken or other patient variables.


CONCLUSIONS
Assay of faecal calprotectin provides a simple practical method for diagnosing NSAID enteropathy in man. Forty four per cent of patients receiving these drugs had NSAID induced enteropathy when assessed by this technique; 20% of these had comparable levels of inflammation to that previously reported in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Tibble
J A
JA
Department of Medicine, Guys, King's, St Thomas's School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK.
Sigthorsson
G
G
Foster
R
R
Scott
D
D
Fagerhol
M K
MK
Roseth
A
A
Bjarnason
I
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019006:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D015415:Biomarkers; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D019006:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules