Faecal calprotectin in dermatology practice

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory condition of the bowel with two primary subtypes: Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis. Extraintestinal manifestations are common in IBD and, after musculoskeletal involvement, dermatological lesions are the most common. Currently, colonoscopy and biopsy are the most definitive tests for a diagnosis of IBD. However, in the past decade, faecal markers have emerged as new diagnostic tools to detect and monitor intestinal inflammation, and faecal calprotectin (FCP) in particular has gained popularity owing to its high sensitivity and specificity for detection of organic bowel disease. This review aims to explore whether there is a role for FCP measurement when encountering cutaneous manifestations associated with IBD.