[Faecal calprotectin : a useful tool for the primary care physician ?]

Faecal calprotectin (FC) is a marker of intestinal inflammation. FC dosing has a sensitivity between 80‑100% for differentiating functional and organic intestinal disease. It is therefore a very useful diagnostic tool in general practice, where the prevalence of functional disease is particularly high. Nevertheless, FC is not specific for inflammatory bowel diseases and cannot distinguish between various inflammatory conditions. FC cut-off values are not clearly defined. Nevertheless, levels < 150 µg/g are considered ruling out organic disease and levels > 150 µg/g warrant an endoscopy. In the intermediate range 50‑150 µg/g, the result is indeterminate and the decision to perform further tests should be made on an individual basis.