Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Flexible Colonoscopy in Mice to Evaluate the Severity of Colitis and Colorectal Tumors Using a Validated Endoscopic Scoring System
15:49

Flexible Colonoscopy in Mice to Evaluate the Severity of Colitis and Colorectal Tumors Using a Validated Endoscopic Scoring System

Published on: October 16, 2013

CRP correlates with clinical score in ulcerative colitis but not in Crohn's disease

Alexander D Rodgers1, Adrian G Cummins

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville Road, Woodville South, South Australia 5011, Australia.

Digestive Diseases and Sciences
|April 17, 2007
PubMed

Insights

This study found C-reactive protein (CRP) correlates well with clinical scores in ulcerative colitis but poorly in Crohn's disease, impacting inflammatory bowel disease management.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Clinical Medicine
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management relies on clinical scoring systems and biomarkers.
  • C-reactive protein (CRP) is a common biomarker for inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To prospectively evaluate the correlation between clinical scoring systems and CRP levels in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).

Main Methods:

  • Prospective evaluation of 40 CD patients using the modified Harvey-Bradshaw index and 29 UC patients using the Lichtiger score.
  • Correlation analysis between clinical scores and CRP levels, including log-transformed CRP values.

Main Results:

  • In UC, CRP elevation correlated linearly with disease severity (quiescent to severe), except for proctitis.
  • In CD, CRP elevation showed a poor correlation with clinical scores, especially in quiescent, fibrostenotic, or ileal disease.

Conclusions:

  • Clinical scores correlate well with CRP in UC, aiding disease assessment.
  • Clinical scores show poor correlation with CRP in CD, suggesting limitations in assessing disease activity using this biomarker alone.

More Related Videos

Systematic Scoring Analysis for Intestinal Inflammation in a Murine Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis Model09:11

Systematic Scoring Analysis for Intestinal Inflammation in a Murine Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis Model

Published on: February 14, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations01:20

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses two major chronic disorders—ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease—each characterized by relapsing episodes of gastrointestinal inflammation. Although they share certain clinical features, their patterns of involvement and manifestations differ in ways that aid diagnosis and guide management.Ulcerative ColitisUlcerative colitis is limited to the colon and rectum and involves continuous inflammation of the mucosal layer. The disease course is marked...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease

Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease01:25

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease

Crohn’s disease is a chronic, relapsing form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by segmental, transmural inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its pathogenesis arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Together, these factors lead to an exaggerated immune response against components of the gut microbiome.Genetic and Environmental InfluencesMultiple genetic...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis01:20

Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon characterized by continuous mucosal inflammation that typically begins in the rectum and extends proximally in a uniform pattern. Its pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, and environmental influences. These factors converge to impair the colon’s epithelial defenses and promote an exaggerated inflammatory response against luminal contents.Breakdown of the Mucosal BarrierA...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis01:27

Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis

Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction01:26

Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction

Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic disorders marked by recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract due to an abnormal immune response against gut microflora. This leads to tissue damage. The two main forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s DiseaseCrohn’s disease is a relapsing inflammatory disorder that can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. It involves all layers of the bowel wall (transmural) and shows “skip lesions” in which...