Faecal calprotectin is the biomarker that best distinguishes remission from different degrees of endoscopic activity in Crohn’s disease
fCal provides greater diagnostic accuracy than the other activity markers for endoscopic activity of patients with CD, moderate correlation to SES-CD, and a capacity to discriminate patients in remission from those with mild or moderate to severe activity.
Faecal calprotectin in patients with suspected colorectal cancer: A diagnostic accuracy study
FC has a high NPV for colorectal cancer and significant polyps in patients with suspected cancer. In total, 27.8% of patients had a normal FC and could safely have been spared a ‘2-week wait’ referral. The addition of FC testing into the current symptom-based assessment has the potential to increase colorectal cancer detection rate yet be clinically and cost effective.
Evaluation of a faecal calprotectin care pathway for use in primary care
The care pathway for FC in primary care had a 97% NPV and a 40% PPV. This was better than GP clinical judgement alone and doubled the PPV compared with the standard FC cut-off.
Turvill, et al. (2016) Primary Health Care Research and Development
Fecal Calprotectin Level Reflects the Severity of Clostridium difficile Infection
We suggest FC as a predictive marker for assessing CDI severity, which is expected to improve the clinical management of this condition.
Relationship between fecal calprotectin and upper endoscopy findings in children with upper gastrointestinal symptoms
There was a statistically significant correlation between fecal calprotectin and gastritis and severity of H. pylori infection. Fecal calprotectin level measurement can avoid unnecessary endoscopies and is also useful for evaluation of therapy response.
Utility of faecal calprotectin in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): what cut-offs should we apply?
FC is beneficial in distinguishing between functional GI conditions (IBS) and organic disease (IBD). In those with IBD, a 250 μg/g cut-off aids in determining clinical disease activity.
Value of fecal calprotectin in the evaluation of patients with abdominal discomfort: an observational study
In patients with abdominal discomfort, fecal calprotectin is a useful non-invasive marker to identify clinically significant findings of the gastrointestinal tract, irrespective of age.
Monoclonal antibody testing for fecal calprotectin is superior to polyclonal testing of fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin to identify organic intestinal disease in patients with abdominal discomfort
Monoclonal testing of calprotectin is superior to both polyclonal calprotectin testing and fecal lactoferrin in identifying symptomatic patients with organic intestinal disease.
Fecal calprotectin is equally sensitive in Crohn's disease affecting the small bowel and colon
Levels and sensitivities of fCal are equal in patients with colonic and small bowel CD. Due to its high sensitivity and negative predictive value, fCal is a useful marker to rule out CD and select patients for endoscopy.
Jensen, et al. (2011) Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology
Ruling out IBD: Estimation of the possible economic effects of pre-endoscopic screening with F-calprotectin
The use of F-calprotectin as a screening test substantially could reduce the number of invasive measurements necessary in the diagnostic work-up of patients with suspected IBD, as well as the associated costs
Diagnostic accuracy and clinical application of faecal calprotectin in adult patients presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms in primary care
Correct use of the test and adherence to usage/referral protocols are likely to lead to fewer referrals to secondary care and consequently fewer investigations with potential cost savings.
Pavlidis, et al. (2013) Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology
Faecal calprotectin concentration in healthy children aged 1-18 months
The FC levels of children aged 1-18 months exhibit a downward trend with increasing age and are greater than the normal levels observed in healthy adults. In healthy children aged <6 months, FC levels are high. In children aged 6-18 months, FC concentrations are relatively low but are still higher than those of children aged >4 years.
Product Comparison
Comparison of three tests for faecal calprotectin in children and young adults: a retrospective monocentric study
All three tests are very sensitive for detecting mucosal inflammation, but major differences exist between specificity and absolute values. It is highly advisable to use the test of the same manufacturer for follow-up and to monitor for disease activity.
Faecal calprotectin: comparative study of the Quantum Blue rapid test and an established ELISA method
We may conclude that the point-of-care test can serve as a reliable alternative to the time consuming ELISA in the differential diagnosis between functional and organic bowel disease. Furthermore, it seems to be reliable in the follow-up of inflammatory bowel disease patients.
Coorevits et al. (2013) Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. Vol. 51, pp. 825-31
Comparative study of a new quantitative rapid test with an established ELISA method for faecal calprotectin
Results of this preliminary study suggest that Quantum Blue POCT may be highly recommended as a replacement for the cumbersome ELISA method, making faecal calprotectin determination rapid, effective, and suitable for any laboratory setting.