Capsule endoscopic findings correlate with fecal calprotectin and C-reactive protein in patients with suspected small-bowel Crohn’s disease

Abstract

Objective. Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a sensitive method for detecting inflammatory lesions in the small bowel. Such lesions may be due to Crohn’s disease but also to other causes and a histological diagnosis may be difficult to achieve in the small bowel. The aim of the study was to find a possible correlation between capsule endoscopic findings, biochemical parameters, and symptoms in patients with suspected or known small-bowel Crohn´s disease. Materials and methods. Thirty patients with inflammatory lesions in the small bowel diagnosed by CE were included. CE findings of inflammation were graded using the Lewis score. C-reactive protein (CRP) and fecal calprotectin were used as biochemical parameters. Symptoms were graded using the Harvey–Bradshaw index. The patients were followed up after 9 months with a second CE, CRP, fecal calprotectin, and Harvey–Bradshaw index. Results. There was a significant persistent correlation between endoscopic inflammation and fecal calprotectin (p = 0.003 at inclusion and p < 0.001 at follow-up). CRP was correlated to endoscopic inflammation at inclusion (p = 0.006), but not at follow-up. Symptoms were not correlated with endoscopic inflammation. Conclusion. Inflammatory lesions in the small bowel diagnosed by CE in patients with suspected Crohn´s disease are correlated to fecal calprotectin and CRP, but not to symptoms.

Key Words::

• capsule endoscopy
• Crohn´s disease
• fecal calprotectin
• Lewis score

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

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