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Microalbuminuria in inflammatory bowel disease
N Mahmud1, J Stinson, M A O'Connell
1Department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity College Medical School, St James's Hospital, Dublin.
Gut
|November 1, 1994
Summary
Microalbuminuria, a marker of acute phase response, is elevated in active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Levels decrease with remission, suggesting its use for monitoring IBD activity and treatment effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Nephrology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Microalbuminuria is a predictor of kidney disease and cardiovascular issues in diabetics.
- It may also indicate an acute phase response, a key factor in inflammatory conditions.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) involves chronic inflammation, making microalbuminuria a potential marker.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate microalbuminuria as a marker of the acute phase response in patients with IBD.
- To correlate microalbuminuria levels with IBD disease activity.
- To assess the potential of microalbuminuria in monitoring IBD activity and treatment response.
Main Methods:
- Studied 95 IBD patients (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) and controls.
- Assessed disease activity using the Harvey-Bradshaw index.
- Measured microalbuminuria and serum amyloid-A (SAA) levels.
Main Results:
- All IBD patients exhibited microalbuminuria, with higher levels in active disease compared to remission.
- Microalbuminuria decreased significantly when IBD activity subsided.
- A strong positive correlation was found between microalbuminuria and disease activity (r=0.818).
- SAA levels were also elevated in active IBD, supporting the acute phase response link.
Conclusions:
- Microalbuminuria is elevated in active IBD and decreases during remission.
- It likely reflects the acute phase response in IBD.
- Microalbuminuria serves as a simple, rapid, and cost-effective tool for monitoring IBD activity and treatment efficacy.