title: The role of fecal calprotectin in investigating inflammatory bowel diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Invasive and non-invasive tests can be used to evaluate the activity of inflammatory bowel diseases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of fecal calprotectin in evaluating inflammatory bowel disease activity and the correlation of fecal calprotectin with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C reactive protein values in inflammatory bowel disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-five patients affected with inflammatory bowel disease were enrolled. Twenty outpatients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease comprised the control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the present study, all patients in the control group had an fecal calprotectin value lower than the cut-off point (50 mg/kg).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, fecal calprotectin was found to be strongly associated with colorectal inflammation indicating organic disease. Fecal calprotectin is a simple and non-invasive method for assessing excretion of macrophages into the gut lumen. Fecal calprotectin values can be used to evaluate the response to treatment, to screen asymptomatic patients, and to predict inflammatory bowel disease relapses.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Department, Fatih University Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Erbayrak
authors.forename: Cansel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Turkay
authors.forename: Elife
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eraslan
authors.forename: Hulya
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cetinkaya
authors.forename: Benan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kasapoglu
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bektas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; D002097:C-Reactive Protein