[Fecal calprotectin as a diagnostic marker of inflammatory bowel disease]

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of diseases characterized by chronic and recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The incidence of IBD has increased significantly in past decades. The aim of this study is to review the literature on the possibility of using fecal calprotectin in the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, the assessment of the severity of the disease, the prediction of a relapse and the monitoring of remission. The literature review was conducted using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Most of the publications included in the study are from 2013 or later. Laboratory, imaging, endoscopic and histopathological tests are used in the diagnosis of IBD. In order to confirm the diagnosis, an endoscopic examination with the collection and evaluation of histopathological specimens is required. Laboratory tests useful in the diagnosis of non-specific inflammations include non-specific tests such as the white blood cells count, ESR and CRP. Faecal calprotectin is a protein complex produced by neutrophils in the inflamed gut. The studies included in this review have shown the presence of increased levels of fecal calprotectin in patients with relapses in the course of inflammatory bowel disease. Accordingly, determination of this marker may be useful in the diagnosis of chronic abdominal pain and as screening prior to colonoscopy.