Open AccessExpert opinion for use of faecal calprotectin in diagnosis and monitoring of inflammatory bowel disease in daily clinical practice
Author(s) -
Reenaers Catherine,
Bossuyt Peter,
Hindryckx Pieter,
Vanpoucke Hilde,
Cremer Anneline,
Baert Filip
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
ueg journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.667
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 2050-6414
pISSN - 2050-6406
DOI - 10.1177/2050640618784046
Subject(s) - medicine , faecal calprotectin , inflammatory bowel disease , calprotectin , subclinical infection , clinical practice , inflammatory bowel diseases , delphi method , crohn's disease , intensive care medicine , expert opinion , disease , physical therapy , statistics , mathematics
Background Despite many publications regarding the role of faecal calprotectin (FC) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), clear recommendations for its use in clinical practice are currently lacking in the literature. Aim The aim of this article is to provide practical guidance for clinicians for the use of FC in the detection and management of patients with IBD. Methods All relevant publications were analysed and practical statements were proposed based on a Delphi consensus approach. Results Different commercial assays have been developed but international standardisation is lacking. FC can help in the diagnosis process of IBD. In IBD, FC can predict response to therapy, detect subclinical inflammation and help to drive treatment decisions to achieve better endoscopic and clinical outcomes. After Crohn's surgery FC can identify patients with early endoscopic recurrence. Conclusion Although major therapeutic changes should not be based on FC alone, FC is a valuable tool to optimise the care for IBD patients.