Capsule endoscopic findings correlate with fecal calprotectin and C-reactive protein in patients with suspected small-bowel Crohn's disease.
OBJECTIVE
Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a sensitive method for detecting inflammatory lesions in the small bowel. Such lesions may be due to Crohn's disease but also to other causes and a histological diagnosis may be difficult to achieve in the small bowel. The aim of the study was to find a possible correlation between capsule endoscopic findings, biochemical parameters, and symptoms in patients with suspected or known small-bowel Crohn´s disease.


METHODS
Thirty patients with inflammatory lesions in the small bowel diagnosed by CE were included. CE findings of inflammation were graded using the Lewis score. C-reactive protein (CRP) and fecal calprotectin were used as biochemical parameters. Symptoms were graded using the Harvey-Bradshaw index. The patients were followed up after 9 months with a second CE, CRP, fecal calprotectin, and Harvey-Bradshaw index.


RESULTS
There was a significant persistent correlation between endoscopic inflammation and fecal calprotectin (p = 0.003 at inclusion and p < 0.001 at follow-up). CRP was correlated to endoscopic inflammation at inclusion (p = 0.006), but not at follow-up. Symptoms were not correlated with endoscopic inflammation.


CONCLUSIONS
Inflammatory lesions in the small bowel diagnosed by CE in patients with suspected Crohn´s disease are correlated to fecal calprotectin and CRP, but not to symptoms.
Department for Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Södersjukhuset, Section for Gastroenterology and Hepatology , Stockholm , Sweden.
Charlotte M
CM
Höög
Lars-Åke
LÅ
Bark
Olle
O
Broström
Urban
U
Sjöqvist
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D053704:Capsule Endoscopy; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007079:Ileitis / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology*; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
Crohn´s disease; Lewis score; capsule endoscopy; fecal calprotectin