Is Fecal Calprotectin or Fecal Immunochemical Measurement for Occult Blood a good Marker for Mucosal Healing in Ulcerative Colitis?

Abstract

AIM: Mucosal healing is an important therapeutic goal for IBD treatment. This study was performed to evaluate which methods of fecal calprotectin or fecal immunochemical test would be a good biomarker for mucosal healing compared with colonoscopic and /or pathological findings. METHODS: Ulcerative colitis patients in remission, mild and moderate activities took an examination of blood biomarkers and colonoscopy, and their fecal specimens were tested on the day before bowel preparation for colonoscopy. RESULTS: Although blood markers were almost within normal limits, fecal calprotectin and immunochemical test for occult blood were useful biomarkers for judging mucosal healing of ulcerative colitis. Fecal calprotectin and immunochemical test were well correlated with the ulcerative colitis endoscopic index of severity and sum of Mayo subscore at 5 segments of the colonorectum. CONCLUSION: Fecal immunochemical test is useful for estimating mucosal healing as same as fecal calprotectin and low in cost.