Diagnosing IBD

The Quantum Blue method was a suitable screening test for excluding inflammatory bowel disease. It may be of value to laboratories wishing to offer calprotectin but who do not have sufficient numbers to warrant ELISA methodology or in ‘one stop’ gastrointestinal clinics where an immediate result is required.

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.

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.

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.

Overall accuracy for differentiating IBD from IBS or “other colitis” was the best for Quantum Blue® Calprotectin (97%/91%).

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.

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.

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