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Faecal markers in the assessment of activity in inflammatory bowel disease
Author(s) -
Poullis A.,
Foster R.,
Northfield T. C.,
Mendall M. A.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
alimentary pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.308
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1365-2036
pISSN - 0269-2813
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2036.2002.01196.x
Subject(s) - medicine , inflammatory bowel disease , inflammatory bowel diseases , gastroenterology , disease , ulcerative colitis
The fundamental pathological process behind ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease is intestinal inflammation. As the precise cause of this is not yet completely understood, current treatment strategies are aimed at reducing or eliminating the inflammation. Endoscopic examination and histological analysis of biopsy specimens remain the `gold standard' methods for detecting and quantifying bowel inflammation; however, these techniques are costly, invasive, and repeated examinations are unpopular with patients. Disease activity questionnaires and laboratory `inflammatory markers', although widely used, show an unreliable correlation with endoscopy and histology. New markers need to be developed to detect and quantify bowel inflammation. These would be of use diagnostically and also an aid to pharmacological treatment.