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Prophylactic aspirin therapy does not increase faecal calprotectin concentrations.
Massimo Montalto1, Valentina Curigliano, Luca Santoro
1Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University, Rome, Italy. mmontalto@rm.unicatt.it
European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
|August 9, 2006
Summary
Low-dose aspirin does not appear to increase faecal calprotectin levels, a marker for intestinal inflammation. This pilot study suggests aspirin may not cause significant NSAID enteropathy in patients using it for prophylaxis.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) can cause enteropathy.
- Aspirin ingestion is linked to less small-intestinal inflammation compared to other NSAIDs.
- Faecal calprotectin is a potential non-invasive biomarker for NSAID enteropathy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate faecal calprotectin concentrations in patients undergoing prophylactic treatment with low-dose aspirin.
- To determine if low-dose aspirin use is associated with increased intestinal inflammation markers.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving 22 patients on low-dose aspirin and 25 healthy controls.
- Faecal calprotectin levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
- Statistical comparison was conducted using an unpaired t-test.
Main Results:
- Mean faecal calprotectin concentration in the aspirin group was 57.95+/-44.28 microg/g.
- Mean faecal calprotectin concentration in the control group was 45.76+/-26.45 microg/g.
- No significant difference in faecal calprotectin levels was observed between patients and controls (P=0.251).
Conclusions:
- Low-dose aspirin treatment did not result in a significant increase in faecal calprotectin.
- These findings suggest that low-dose aspirin may not induce significant intestinal inflammation detectable by faecal calprotectin.