Faecal calprotectin in dermatology practice.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Dermatology
• Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic inflammatory bowel condition.
• Extraintestinal manifestations are frequent in IBD, with dermatological lesions being the second most common after musculoskeletal issues.
• Traditional IBD diagnosis relies on colonoscopy and biopsy, but non-invasive biomarkers are increasingly important.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the utility of fecal calprotectin (FCP) measurement in patients presenting with cutaneous manifestations linked to inflammatory bowel disease.
• To evaluate FCP as a potential diagnostic and monitoring tool for intestinal inflammation in the context of IBD-related skin conditions.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating fecal calprotectin (FCP) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Analysis of FCP's sensitivity and specificity for detecting intestinal inflammation.
• Exploration of the correlation between FCP levels and dermatological manifestations in IBD patients.

Main Results:

• Fecal calprotectin (FCP) is a sensitive and specific biomarker for intestinal inflammation in IBD.
• FCP has emerged as a valuable non-invasive tool for diagnosing and monitoring IBD.
• The role of FCP in managing IBD-associated dermatological conditions requires further investigation.

Conclusions:

• Fecal calprotectin (FCP) is a reliable indicator of intestinal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Further research is needed to establish the specific role and clinical utility of FCP measurement in patients with IBD-related skin manifestations.