A comparison of diagnostic performance between two quantitative rapid fecal calprotectin assays in detecting active inflammatory bowel disease.

Abstract

BackgroundFecal calprotectin (FC) is widely used for the diagnosis and monitoring disease activity of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Quantitative rapid assays can be a reliable alternative to the time-consuming assay. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the diagnostic performance of two quantitative rapid FC assays (Ichroma calprotectin, and Buhlmann Quantum blue).MethodsA total of 192 patients were included in this study; 84 patients with IBD (67 ulcerative colitis and 17 Crohn's disease) and 108 patients with non-IBD. We compared quantitative FC levels in different disease statuses and evaluated the correlation between the FC results of the two FC kits. Diagnostic performances in predicting active IBD were evaluated in reference to different cut-off levels.ResultsThe FC levels in 45 patients with active IBD as defined by endoscopic score were significantly higher compared to the inactive IBD and other diseases (P 250 μg/g confirmed 85.7% (iChroma) and 64.1% (Buhlmann) of active IBD patients.ConclusionThe results of the two rapid FC assays iChroma and Buhlmann showed a significant correlation, but the two test results were not interchangeable. With optimized cut-off values, rapid FC tests could be helpful in the diagnosis of IBD and differentiating active IBD from inactive or organic bowel disease.