Background: Henoch-Schönlein purpura is a type of systemic vasculitis found in children. Its prognosis is usually good; however, recurrence is relatively common. If the intestines are affected, severe complications could arise. Here, we investigated the value of fecal calprotectin in the early screening of Henoch-Schönlein purpura and as a useful factor for predicting gastrointestinal manifestations. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of pediatric patients who were diagnosed with Henoch-Schönlein purpura and underwent fecal calprotectin testing during the acute phase. The patients were categorized into gastrointestinal involvement and non-gastrointestinal involvement groups based on their clinical symptoms. Moreover, gastrointestinal involvement was categorized as follows: upper gastrointestinal tract involvement (up to the duodenum) and lower gastrointestinal tract involvement (from the terminal ileum). Results: A total of 69 patients were diagnosed with Henoch-Schönlein purpura and underwent fecal calprotectin testing. Among them, 40 patients (58.0%) showed signs of gastrointestinal involvement. The gastrointestinal involvement group had higher fecal calprotectin levels (379.9 ± 399.8 vs. 77.4 ± 97.6 mg/kg, P = 0.000). There were no significant differences in the recurrence of Henoch-Schönlein purpura symptoms or gastrointestinal symptoms. The cutoff value to identify gastrointestinal involvement was 69.10 mg/kg (P < 0.01). Patients with fecal calprotectin levels of > 50 mg/kg showed more frequent gastrointestinal involvement (77.8% vs. 20.8%, P = 0.000) and more severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Significant differences in abdominal pain duration, Henoch-Schönlein purpura clinical score, and abdominal pain severity were observed (P = 0.002, P = 0.000, and P = 0.000, respectively). Additionally, fecal calprotectin levels were significantly higher in patients with lower gastrointestinal tract involvement (214.67 ± 150.5 vs. 581.8 ± 510.1 mg/kg, P = 0.008), and the cutoff value was 277.5 mg/kg (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Fecal calprotectin testing is useful for identifying gastrointestinal involvement in pediatric Henoch-Schönlein purpura patients.
Background Henochchönlein purpura (HSP) is a systemic vasculitis occurring in children. HSP prognosis is usually good, but its recurrence is relatively common, and if the intestines get affected, severe complications could arise, including intussusception or intestinal perforation. Here, we investigated the value of fecal calprotectin (FC) in early screening of HSP and the usefulness of FC as a prognostic factor for GI manifestations. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of pediatric patients who were diagnosed with HSP and had undergone FC testing during the acute phase. Subjects were categorized into gastrointestinal (GI) involvement and non-GI involvement groups based on their clinical symptoms. Moreover, GI involvement levels were divided as follows: upper GI tract up to the duodenum and lower GI tract from the ileocolic Results Sixty-nine patients were diagnosed with HSP and underwent FC testing. Among them, 40 patients (58.0%) showed signs of GI involvement. The GI involvement group showed higher FC levels (379.9 짹 399.8 vs. 77.4 짹 97.6 mg/kg, P = 0.000). There were no significant differences in the relapse of HSP symptoms or GI symptoms. The cut-off value according to GI involvement was 69.10 mg/kg (P < 0.01). Patients with FC levels of >50 mg/kg more frequently showed GI involvement (77.8% vs. 20.8%, P = 0.000) and a more severe prognosis. Significant correlations were observed for abdominal pain duration, HSP clinical score, and abdominal pain severity (P = 0.002, P = 0.000, and P = 0.000, respectively). Additionally, FC levels were significantly higher in patients with lower GI tract involvement (214.67 짹 150.5 vs. 581.8 짹 510.1 mg/kg, P = 0.008), and the cut-off value was 277.5 mg/kg (P < 0.01). Conclusion FC testing is useful for predicting the involvement of GI, location of involvement, and course of prognosis in pediatric HSP patients.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.