Background: Gastroenterologists are often hampered by the lack of a
reliable, non-invasive index of bowel inflammation when establishing a differential
diagnosis for patients presenting with chronic diarrhoea. Investigations aim to
distinguish between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (e.g. Crohn's disease,
ulcerative colitis) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). As an acute phase protein,
faecal calprotectin measurement may be useful in this context.
Methods: A new ELISA-based assay for calprotectin was evaluated. The
ability of calprotectin to distinguish between patients with IBS and Crohn's disease
was studied.
Results: The assay showed adequate inter- and intra-batch imprecision
and was suitable for routine use in the laboratory. Calprotectin concentration was
significantly greater in patients with Crohn's disease compared with controls
(n = 25, P <0.001) and patients with IBS
(n = 25, P <0.001).
Conclusion: A single calprotectin measurement may aid
gastroenterologists in the differential diagnosis of Crohn's disease and IBS. Its use
could decrease the number of invasive or radiological investigations undertaken in
the latter group of patients.
