title: Faecal calprotectin assay after induction with anti-Tumour Necrosis Factor α agents in inflammatory bowel disease: Prediction of clinical response and mucosal healing at one year.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Faecal calprotectin levels correlate with inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease. We evaluated the role of faecal calprotectin after anti-Tumour Necrosis Factor α induction in inflammatory bowel disease patients to predict therapeutic effect at one year.
  
  
  METHODS
  Faecal calprotectin levels were measured in stools of 63 patients before and after induction of anti-Tumour Necrosis Factor α therapy. Clinical activity, measured by clinical indices, was assessed before and after biologic treatment. Clinical responders after induction were included in the study and colonoscopy was performed before and after one year of treatment to assess mucosal healing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  63 patients (44 Crohn's disease, 19 ulcerative colitis) were prospectively included (41.2% males, mean age at diagnosis 33 years). A sustained clinical response during the first year was observed in 57% of patients; median faecal calprotectin was 106 μg/g after induction versus 308 μg/g pre-induction (p<0.0001). Post-induction faecal calprotectin was significantly lower in responders versus non-responders (p=0.0002). Post-induction faecal calprotectin had 83% sensitivity and 74% specificity (cut-off ≤ 168 μg/g) for predicting a sustained clinical response at one year (p=0.0001); also, sensitivity was 79% and specificity 57% (cut-off ≤ 121 μg/g) for predicting mucosal healing (p=0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In inflammatory bowel disease faecal calprotectin assay after anti-Tumour Necrosis Factor α induction can be used as a marker to predict sustained clinical response and mucosal healing at one year.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology Unit, Complesso Integrato Columbus, Catholic University of Rome, Italy. Electronic address: lguidi@rm.unicatt.it.
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guidi
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology Unit, Complesso Integrato Columbus, Catholic University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marzo
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology Unit, Complesso Integrato Columbus, Catholic University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Andrisani
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology Unit, Complesso Integrato Columbus, Catholic University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Felice
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology Unit, Complesso Integrato Columbus, Catholic University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pugliese
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology Unit, Complesso Integrato Columbus, Catholic University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giammarco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mocci
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology Unit, Complesso Integrato Columbus, Catholic University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Nardone
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology Unit, Complesso Integrato Columbus, Catholic University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Italo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: De Vitis
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology Unit, Complesso Integrato Columbus, Catholic University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papa
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology Unit, Complesso Integrato Columbus, Catholic University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianlodovico
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rapaccini
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Diagnostics Unit, Complesso Integrato Columbus, Catholic University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Franca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Forni
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology Unit, Complesso Integrato Columbus, Catholic University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Armuzzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012372:ROC Curve; D012074:Remission Induction / Q000379:methods; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
keywords: Anti-Tumour Necrosis Factor α; Faecal calprotectin; Inflammatory bowel disease