Faecal calprotectin: a noninvasive diagnostic tool and marker of severity in pouchitis

Role of Probiotics in the Management of Patients with Ulcerative Colitis and Pouchitis

Acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) often requires surgical intervention, such as proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). While IPAA improves patient outcomes, it can be associated with pouchitis, a common and debilitating complication characterized by inflammation of the pouch. The development of pouchitis is closely linked to dysbiosis-an imbalance in the gut microbiota. Understanding the role of the microbiota in pouch health has spurred interest in probiotics as a therapeutic strategy. Probiotics represent a promising avenue in the management of pouchitis, offering a natural and targeted approach to improving outcomes for UC patients. This review explores the role of probiotics in the management of UC patients, with a specific focus on preventing and treating pouchitis. We compare the microbiota of healthy pouches to those with pouchitis, highlighting key microbial shifts linked to disease onset and discussing the growing evidence for probiotics as a prevention and therapeutic approach. Future directions should prioritize advancing research to optimize probiotic therapies and establish personalized approaches based on individual microbiome profiles, highlighting their significant potential as a promising treatment strategy for pouchitis.

Tofacitinib uptake by patient-derived intestinal organoids predicts individual clinical responsiveness

Background & Aims

Despite increasing therapeutic options in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC), achieving disease remission remains a major clinical challenge. Nonresponse to therapy is common and clinicians have little guidance in selecting the optimal therapy for an individual patient. This study examined whether patient-derived materials could predict individual clinical responsiveness to the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, tofacitinib, prior to treatment initiation.

Method

In 48 patients with UC initiating tofacitinib, we longitudinally collected clinical covariates, stool, and colonic biopsies to analyze the microbiota, transcriptome, and exome variations associated with clinical responsiveness at week 24. We established patient-derived organoids (n = 23) to determine how their viability upon stimulation with proinflammatory cytokines in the presence of tofacitinib related to drug responsiveness in patients. We performed additional biochemical analyses of organoids and primary tissues to identify the mechanism underlying differential tofacitinib sensitivity.

Results

The composition of the gut microbiota, rectal transcriptome, inflammatory biomarkers, and exome variations were indistinguishable among UC patients prior to tofacitinib treatment. However, a subset of patient-derived organoids displayed reduced sensitivity to tofacitinib as determined by the ability of the drug to inhibit STAT1 phosphorylation and loss of viability upon cytokine stimulation. Remarkably, sensitivity of organoids to tofacitinib predicted individual clinical patient responsiveness. Reduced responsiveness to tofacitinib was associated with decreased levels of the cationic transporter MATE1, which mediates tofacitinib uptake.

Conclusions

Patient-derived intestinal organoids predict and identify mechanisms of individual tofacitinib responsiveness in UC. Specifically, MATE1 expression predicted clinical response to tofacitinib.

AGA Clinical Practice Guideline on the Management of Pouchitis and Inflammatory Pouch Disorders

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Pouchitis is the most common complication after restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis. This American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) guideline is intended to support practitioners in the management of pouchitis and inflammatory pouch disorders.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary panel of content experts and guideline methodologists used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework to prioritize clinical questions, identify patient-centered outcomes, conduct an evidence synthesis, and develop recommendations for the prevention and treatment of pouchitis, Crohn's-like disease of the pouch, and cuffitis.

RESULTS

The AGA guideline panel made 9 conditional recommendations. In patients with ulcerative colitis who have undergone ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and experience intermittent symptoms of pouchitis, the AGA suggests using antibiotics for the treatment of pouchitis. In patients who experience recurrent episodes of pouchitis that respond to antibiotics, the AGA suggests using probiotics for the prevention of recurrent pouchitis. In patients who experience recurrent pouchitis that responds to antibiotics but relapses shortly after stopping antibiotics (also known as "chronic antibiotic-dependent pouchitis"), the AGA suggests using chronic antibiotic therapy to prevent recurrent pouchitis; however, in patients who are intolerant to antibiotics or who are concerned about the risks of long-term antibiotic therapy, the AGA suggests using advanced immunosuppressive therapies (eg, biologics and/or oral small molecule drugs) approved for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. In patients who experience recurrent pouchitis with inadequate response to antibiotics (also known as "chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis"), the AGA suggests using advanced immunosuppressive therapies; corticosteroids can also be considered in these patients. In patients who develop symptoms due to Crohn's-like disease of the pouch, the AGA suggests using corticosteroids and advanced immunosuppressive therapies. In patients who experience symptoms due to cuffitis, the AGA suggests using therapies that have been approved for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, starting with topical mesalamine or topical corticosteroids. The panel also proposed key implementation considerations for optimal management of pouchitis and Crohn's-like disease of the pouch and identified several knowledge gaps and areas for future research.

CONCLUSIONS

This guideline provides a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to the management of patients with pouchitis and other inflammatory conditions of the pouch.

Fecal calprotectin as an indicator in risk stratification of pouchitis following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

Pouchitis is the most common complication following restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis (UC). Fecal calprotectin (FC) is a noninvasive indicator of the intestinal inflammatory status. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical value of the FC concentration for the diagnosis and risk assessment of pouchitis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective study involved patients who underwent IPAA for UC at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from January 2015 to January 2019. The patients were categorized into pouchitis and non-pouchitis groups based on their Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (PDAI) score. Laboratory indicators, including the FC concentration, were collected from both groups.

RESULTS

Sixty-six patients with UC after IPAA were included in the study and divided into the non-pouchitis group (n = 40) and pouchitis group (n = 26). The correlation coefficient between the FC concentration and the PDAI score was 0.651 (p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the FC cut-off value for predicting pouchitis was 579.60 μg/g (area under the curve, 0.938). The patients were then divided into three subgroups according to their PDAI score (0-2, 3-6, and ≥7), and significant differences in the FC concentration were found among the three subgroups. The best FC cut-off value for predicting a high risk of pouchitis (PDAI score of 3-6) was 143.25 μg/g (area under the curve, 0.876).

CONCLUSIONS

FC is a useful biomarker in patients with pouchitis. Patients are advised to regularly undergo FC measurement to monitor for pouchitis. An FC concentration in the range of 143.25-579.60 μg/g is predictive of a high risk for pouchitis, and further examination and preventive treatment are necessary in such patients.KEY MESSAGESFecal calprotectin can be used to quantify pouch inflammation.Fecal calprotectin can be used to predict a high risk of pouchitis.

Sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic modalities in pouchitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) is the most common surgical procedure to restore gastrointestinal continuity after surgical resection of the colon and rectum. Pouchitis is a common complication with several different modalities that can be used to aid diagnosis. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at exploring the sensitivity and specificity these diagnostic modalities. The medical literature was searched using MEDLINE, EMBASE and EMBASE classic and PubMed from 1978 to June 2022. We calculated descriptive statistics using sensitivity, specificity, and false-positive rate of the primary studies and also their positive and negative likelihood ratios, and their diagnostic odds ratios. The screen found 5477 records with 13 studies being included. Faecal lactoferrin was found to have the highest pooled sensitivity and specificity of 98% and 88% respectively with imaging modalities coming in second and faecal calprotectin third with pooled sensitivities and specificities of 87% and 79% and 74% and 81% respectively. Faecal biomarkers particularly lactoferrin and imaging modalities may have an important role to play in diagnosing pouchitis. Importantly due to delays in availability of pouchoscopy, our data supports early ordering of these tests to help delineate from other causes. Further studies are required with larger cohort sizes to further validate these tests.

Fecal Calprotectin and Quality of Life Questionnaires Are Responsive to Change in Pouch Disease Activity After Antibiotic Therapy: Results From a Prospective Clinical Trial

INTRODUCTION

Whether fecal calprotectin (FC) and quality of life (QoL) questionnaires reflect change in disease activity in patients with a J-pouch is unknown.

METHODS

Patients with acute pouchitis were prospectively treated with a 2-week course of antibiotics. The full Pouchitis Disease Activity Index, FC, and QoL questionnaires were measured at baseline and after antibiotic therapy.

RESULTS

Twenty patients were prospectively enrolled. After 2 weeks of antibiotic treatment, the Pouchitis Disease Activity Index decreased from a median of 9 to 5 ( P = 0.007). FC decreased from a median of 661 ug/g to 294 ug/g ( P = 0.02), and QoL questionnaires improved significantly.

DISCUSSION

FC and QoL questionnaires reflect real-time changes in inflammatory pouch activity.

Disease Monitoring of the Ileoanal Pouch: How to Utilize Biomarkers, Imaging, and Pouchoscopy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis has been associated with multiple short- and long-term complications. In this review, we examine the role of biomarkers, imaging, and pouchoscopy in the assessment of patients after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, with a particular focus on the emergence of novel biomarkers and techniques for evaluating and risk stratifying patients after this procedure in the hopes of improving outcomes in this specific population.

RECENT FINDINGS

There are indications that that the incidence of pouchitis may be increasing in recent decades. Calprotectin and other non-invasive imaging tests such as ultrasound may offer advantages in distinguishing patients with inflammatory conditions of the pouch from other etiologies. In the search for other biomarkers that may identify patients at risk for inflammatory conditions of the pouch, the stool microbiota and metabolomics may play a key role in identifying those patients at greatest risk for complications. Advances in biomarkers, imaging, and standardized pouchoscopy scoring offer immediate improvements in clinical care and will prompt future research efforts.

Biomarkers for the Evaluation of Pouch Inflammation: A Systematic Review

Background

Ileal pouch inflammation is a common problem following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). Despite its prevalence, diagnosis remains multimodal and requires endoscopy. The use of biomarkers in the prediction of and/or association with pouchitis has not been well characterized. We performed a systematic review to summarize the available evidence.

Method

A search of Ovid, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science was conducted. Inclusion criteria included studies evaluating biomarkers for the evaluation and prediction of inflammation in patients with IPAA utilizing pouchoscopy as the gold standard. Exclusion criteria included studies on the role of the microbiome or genetic markers.

Results

A total of 28 studies, 5 case-control studies, and 23 observational cohort studies were identified. Fecal biomarkers were assessed in 23 studies, of which fecal calprotectin was the most commonly studied with sensitivities ranging from 57% to 92% and specificities from 19% to 92%. Six studies examined serum biomarkers. None of the serum biomarkers demonstrated a high sensitivity or specificity in association with pouch inflammation. Six studies described the longitudinal assessment of biomarkers. Of these studies, only three reported a predictive role of biomarkers in diagnosing endoscopic inflammation.

Conclusions

Biomarkers have emerged as a potential option to improve the management of pouchitis given the relative ease of sampling compared to pouchoscopy. Unfortunately, the evaluated biomarkers have not consistently demonstrated accuracy in predicting inflammation. Moreover, these biomarkers have not been reliably shown to be sensitive or specific in association with endoscopic pouch inflammation to merit their widespread use in clinical practice.

Non-invasive Monitoring of Pouchitis After Total Proctocolectomy Using Fecal Calprotectin Levels

BACKGROUND

Fecal calprotectin (FC) is the most widely used marker for evaluating the disease activity of ulcerative colitis (UC). However, studies on FC in pouchitis after total proctocolectomy are scarce. We aimed to examine the correlations between the FC level and clinical findings and Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (PDAI) in UC patients who underwent total proctocolectomy (TP) with ileal pouch-anal canal anastomosis (IPAA) or ileal pouch-anal canal anastomosis (IACA).

METHODS

Between April 2008 and March 2018, 15 patients, consisting of 8 males and 7 females, with an average age at operation of 46.5 years, participated in this study. The average observation period was 68.3 months. The subjects underwent FC level measurements and endoscopic examinations.

RESULTS

The mean FC level was 418.69 μg/g (range: 10-1650 μg/g). Pouchitis was found in one (6.6%) patient, as detected by endoscopy. Among the 15 cases, FC levels were positively correlated with white blood cell count as well as albumin and C-reactive protein levels. There was a significant positive correlation between the PDAI score and FC levels (p<0.05). The median FC level was 111 mg/g in those with pouchitis, which was significantly higher than the 16 mg/g in those without pouchitis (p<0.05). Moreover, a significant positive correlation was found between the endoscopic findings of inflammation and FC levels (p<0.00005).

CONCLUSION

FC levels were correlated with the PDAI score, blood testing data, and endoscopic findings, suggesting that the FC level could be a useful index of postoperative pouchitis and ileal pouch condition in patients undergoing TP with IPAA as UC treatment.

Fecal Calprotectin Is Increased in Pouchitis and Progressively Increases With More Severe Endoscopic and Histologic Disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Data regarding fecal calprotectin (FC), commonly used for noninvasive monitoring in inflammatory bowel diseases, are scarce in patients with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). We aimed to assess the association between FC levels and pouch inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis who underwent IPAA.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of adults with ulcerative colitis who underwent IPAA with J-pouch formation prospectively followed in a dedicated pouch clinic. Patients had clinical, endoscopic, and histologic assessments within 90 days of FC sampling. Each patient encounter was evaluated separately. Pouchitis was defined as a Pouchitis Disease Activity Score of ≥7 (maximum score: 18).

RESULTS

Overall, 156 patients had 296 encounters that met inclusion criteria. A total of 52% of patients were male, median age at evaluation was 43 (IQR, 35-58) years, and median pouch age was 10 (interquartile range [IQR], 2.5-15) years. Median FC values were significantly lower in patients without compared with those with pouchitis (208 [IQR, 96-478] μg/g vs 550 [IQR, 250-1051] μg/g; P < .0001). Mean FC values increased among patients with higher endoscopic and histologic scores. FC performed better than C-reactive protein as a predictor of pouchitis. FC of >460 μg/g had >80% specificity for predicting significant endoscopic disease (Pouchitis Disease Activity Score endoscopic subscore ≥5), while an FC of <125 μg/g had over 80% specificity in predicting endoscopic remission.

CONCLUSIONS

FC levels are increased in patients with endoscopic and histologic inflammation of the pouch. FC may be a useful tool in the management of patients following IPAA.

Accuracy of Gastrointestinal Ultrasound and Calprotectin in the Assessment of Inflammation and its Location in Patients with an Ileoanal Pouch

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

In symptomatic patients with ileoanal pouches, pouchoscopy is needed for accurate diagnosis but is invasive. We aimed to assess the utility of non-invasive gastrointestinal ultrasound and faecal calprotectin in ileoanal pouch patients.

METHODS

Patients with an ileoanal pouch were consecutively enrolled in this cross-sectional study from clinics in Victoria, Australia. The pouchitis disease activity index was used as a reference standard. Video-recorded pouchoscopies were reviewed by three gastroenterologists. Pouch, pre-pouch, and cuff biopsies were reviewed by a single pathologist. Ultrasound was performed by a single gastroenterologist transabdominally and transperineally. Faecal calprotectin was measured from morning stool samples. All examiners were blinded to patients' clinical history.

RESULTS

A total of 44 participants had a pouchoscopy, of whom 43 had a faecal calprotectin test and 42 had an ultrasound; 17 had pouchitis, 15 had pre-pouch ileitis, and 16 had cuffitis. Pouch wall thickness of <3 mm was 88% sensitive in excluding pouchitis, and pouch wall thickness of ≥4 mm was 87% specific in diagnosing pouchitis. Transabdominal ultrasound had good utility [area under the curve: 0.78] in diagnosing moderate-severe pre-pouch ileitis. Transperineal ultrasound had good utility for the diagnosis of pouchitis [area under the curve: 0.79]. Faecal calprotectin differentiated inflammatory from non-inflammatory pouch disorders, such as irritable pouch syndrome, with an area under the curve of 0.90. Faecal calprotectin <100 µg/g ruled out inflammatory pouch disorders with a sensitivity of 94%.

CONCLUSIONS

Faecal calprotectin and ultrasound are accurate and complementary tests to diagnose and localise inflammation of the ileoanal pouch. Prospective studies are needed to validate proposed sonographic indices and calprotectin levels.

Preoperative Endoscopic Activity Predicts the Occurrence of Pouchitis After Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis in Ulcerative Colitis: A Multicenter Retrospective Study in China

Background: Pouchitis is the most common long-term complication after ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Ulcerative colitis endoscopic index of severity (UCEIS) and Mayo endoscopic score (MES) are widely used indices to evaluate endoscopic activity. This study aimed to clarify the predictive value of preoperative endoscopic activity on the occurrence of pouchitis after IPAA.

Methods: Data of patients with UC who underwent IPAA from January 2008 to January 2020 were collected retrospectively. UCEIS and MES were based on the preoperative colonoscopy findings of two independent endoscopists.

Results: A total of 102 patients with a median follow-up of 5 (interquartile range, 2–9) years were included in the study. Among them, 21.6% developed pouchitis. Compared with MES, UCEIS had a stronger correlation with pouchitis disease activity index. UCEIS ≥ 7 had the most significant receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve area of 0.747 with a sensitivity of 68.2% and specificity of 81.2% in predicting pouchitis, which outperformed MES of 3 with an ROC area of 0.679 with a sensitivity of 54.5% and specificity of 81.2%. Furthermore, we found that UCEIS ≥ 7 was an independent risk factor for post-IPAA pouchitis [odds ratio (OR), 8.860; 95% CI, 1.969–39.865, p < 0.001] with a higher risk than MES of 3 (OR, 5.200; 95% CI, 1.895–14.273; p = 0.001).

Conclusion: Ulcerative colitis endoscopic index of severity performed better in predicting pouchitis after IPAA than MES. Earlier and more frequent postoperative colonoscopic surveillance should be considered in patients with preoperative UCEIS ≥ 7 to detect the occurrence of pouchitis earlier.

Appendiceal inflammation in colectomy is independently correlated with early pouchitis following ileal pouch anal anastomosis in ulcerative colitis and indeterminate colitis

BACKGROUND

Appendiceal inflammation in colectomy is one of the histologic predictors of pouchitis in ulcerative colitis (UC) following ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA). Fecal calprotectin level has been shown to increase 2 months prior to the onset of pouchitis. We evaluated whether inflammation and calprotectin expression in appendiceal specimens correlate with early-onset pouchitis in UC and indeterminate colitis (IC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

IPAA (2000-2018) cases with appendix blocks available in colectomy specimens were identified (n = 93, 90 UC, 3 IC). Histologic features thought to predict pouchitis were evaluated. The degree of appendiceal inflammation was scored. Calprotectin immunostain was performed on the appendix blocks and the extent of mucosal staining was quantified. Electronic medical records were reviewed for demographics, smoking history, clinical pouchitis, time of onset of pouchitis, and clinical and endoscopic components of the Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (PDAI) score. Follow-up pouch biopsies were reviewed and scored to generate histologic PDAI score, when available.

RESULTS

Among the patients with clinical pouchitis (n = 73), moderate to severe appendiceal inflammation independently correlated with earlier pouchitis compared to no/mild inflammation (median time to pouchitis 12.0 vs. 23.8, log rank p = 0.016). Calprotectin staining correlated with inflammatory scores of the appendix (Spearman's rho, r = 0.630, p < 0.001) but not with early pouchitis (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of moderate to severe appendiceal inflammation at the time of colectomy was associated with a shorter time to pouchitis following IPAA. Calprotectin immunostain may be used to demonstrate the presence of inflammation in the appendix but its role in predicting early pouchitis remains limited.

Disease Activity Indices for Pouchitis: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Several indices exist to measure pouchitis disease activity; however, none are fully validated. As an initial step toward creating a validated instrument, we identified pouchitis disease activity indices, examined their operating properties, and assessed their value as outcome measures in clinical trials.

METHODS

Electronic databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials including indices that evaluated clinical, endoscopic, or histologic pouchitis disease activity. A second search identified studies that assessed the operating properties of pouchitis indices.

RESULTS

Eighteen randomized controlled trials utilizing 4 composite pouchitis disease activity indices were identified. The Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (PDAI) was most commonly used (12 of 18; 66.7%) to define both trial eligibility (8 of 12; 66.7%), and outcome measures (12 of 12; 100%). In a separate search, 21 studies evaluated the operating properties of 3 pouchitis indices; 90.5% (19 of 21) evaluated validity, of which 42.1% (8 of 19) evaluated the construct validity of the PDAI. Criterion validity (73.7%; 14 of 19) was evaluated through correlation of the PDAI with fecal calprotectin (FCP; r = 0.188 to 0.71), fecal lactoferrin (r = 0.570 to 0.582), and C-reactive protein (CRP; r = 0.584). Two studies assessed correlation of the modified PDAI (mPDAI) with FCP (r = 0.476 and r = 0.565, respectively). Fair to moderate inter-rater reliability of the PDAI (k = 0.440) and mPDAI (k = 0.389) was reported in a single study. Responsiveness of the PDAI pre-antibiotic and postantibiotic treatment was partially evaluated in a single study of 12 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Development and validation of a specific pouchitis disease activity index is needed given that existing instruments are not valid, reliable, or responsive.

A Practical Guide for Faecal Calprotectin Measurement: Myths and Realities

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Faecal calprotectin [FC] is a valid and non-invasive marker of mucosal inflammation. It is widely used both in clinical trials and in daily clinical practice for patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, but currently no accepted standardization for FC testing is available. Our primary aim here was to provide a clinician's guide containing all the practical information on FC measurement in order to avoid any confounding factors, to minimize intra- and inter-individual variability in dosage, and to ensure a better and adequate interpretation of the results.

METHODS

We conducted a detailed search of the scientific literature in the PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases up to January 2020 to find all relevant and available articles on pre-analytical and analytical phases of FC measurement.

RESULTS

FC testing is a multi-step procedure consisting of a pre-analytical phase aimed to collect and process the stool sample and a subsequent analytical phase of FC measurement. Several factors can influence test results determining false positives or false negatives. Importantly, this faecal marker is mostly used for patient follow-up and as a predictor of treatment response. For this reason, any altered data may affect the physicians' decisions, negatively impacting on patient management.

CONCLUSIONS

This review provides for the first time practical advice to minimize dosage variability, although further dedicated studies are needed to compare commercially available tests and identify the best tools for the most precise and accurate FC measurement.

Novel prognostic biomarkers of pouchitis after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio

OBJECTIVES

Pouchitis is a major complication after restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Although there have been many investigations of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in various diseases, its role in predicting the development of pouchitis remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of the NLR for predicting the development of pouchitis after IPAA in UC patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

UC patients who underwent IPAA at Osaka City University Hospital between May 2006 and March 2019 were included. The incidence of pouchitis was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Potential preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative predictors for pouchitis, including various demographic and clinical variables, were analyzed. The combined impact of the NLR and other known prognostic factors were investigated using Cox proportional hazard regression with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW).

RESULTS

Forty-nine patients with UC who underwent IPAA were included. The median follow-up period was 18.3 months (interquartile range: 10.7-47.2 months). Eighteen patients (36.7%) developed pouchitis. The incidence of pouchitis was 19.2%, 32.6%, and 45.9% at 1, 2, and 5 years, respectively. NLR was significantly associated with the development of pouchitis in the univariate Cox regression analysis (hazard ratio (HR), 1.14; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-1.28; P = 0.03). The NLR cutoff value of 2.15 was predictive of the development of pouchitis according to receiver operating characteristic analysis (specificity: 67.7%, sensitivity: 72.2%). The incidence of pouchitis was significantly lower in the low NLR group than that in the high NLR group (P = 0.01, log-rank test). Cox regression analyses using IPTW also identified NLR as a prognostic factor for the development of pouchitis by statistically adjusting for background factors (HR, 3.60; 95% CI, 1.31-9.89; P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

NLR may be a novel and useful indicator for predicting the development of pouchitis after IPAA in UC and should be introduced in clinical practice.

Fecal calprotectin: current and future perspectives for inflammatory bowel disease treatment

Fecal calprotectin has been widely studied in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) under clinical and therapeutic settings. It showed a good correlation with clinical, endoscopic, and histologic findings. For these reasons, fecal calprotectin is currently one of the most useful tools in IBD care, both in diagnosis and in clinical management. The development of biologic drugs allowed a deeper control of disease, which sometimes reaches histological healing; this is associated with a reduced risk of relapses and complications. The management of IBD treatment is currently carried out with a treat-to-target approach, and mucosal healing is considered at present to be the optimal therapeutic target, but the future is going through histologic remission. Fecal calprotectin is probably the best marker of mucosal healing, but it is correlated also with histologic remission: moreover, it has been recently studied as a possible therapeutic target in the CALM study. We carried out a comprehensive literature review in order to evaluate the role of fecal calprotectin at present and in the future in the management of IBD therapies.

The role of fecal calprotectin in the diagnosis of acute pouchitis following IPAA for ulcerative colitis: a systematic clinical review

PURPOSE

Total proctocolectomy (TPC) with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) is commonly performed for patients with refractory ulcerative colitis (UC). Pouchitis occurs in 20-50% of these patients. Fecal calprotectin is a biomarker that correlates well with the pouchitis disease activity index. However, its role in the diagnosis and management of acute pouchitis has not been thoroughly defined. The aim of this study is to review previously established cut-off values and contextualize the clinical utility of fecal calprotectin.

METHODS

Search of Medline, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and PubMed was performed. Articles were eligible if they measured fecal calprotectin in the setting of pouchitis in patients who underwent TPC with IPAA for UC. Risk of bias of the included studies was evaluated with the QUADAS-2.

RESULTS

From 117 relevant citations, seven studies with 256 patients (44.8% female, 39.88 years) met inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of pouchitis was 42%. The derived fecal calprotectin cut-off values ranged from 56 to 494 μg/g. The corresponding sensitivities and specificities ranged from 57 to 100% and 38 to 92%, respectively. The area under the curve was reported in three studies and ranged from 0.832 to 0.840.

CONCLUSION

Fecal calprotectin may be a reliable diagnostic tool for acute pouchitis in patients following TPC with IPAA for UC. The high sensitivity of fecal calprotectin for detection of pouchitis makes it a valuable test for ruling out pouchitis. When used in conjunction with other biomarkers, the high specificity offers value in ruling in pouchitis. However, given the complexity of this disease process, relying solely on biomarkers for diagnosis is currently unreasonable.

Recommendations of the Spanish Working Group on Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (GETECCU) on pouchitis in ulcerative colitis. Part 1: Epidemiology, diagnosis and prognosis

Pouchitis is a common complication in ulcerative colitis patients after total proctocolectomy. This is an unspecific inflammation of the ileo-anal pouch, the aetiology of which is not fully known. This inflammation induces the onset of symptoms such as urgency, diarrhoea, rectal bleeding and abdominal pain. Many patients suffering from pouchitis have a lower quality of life. In addition to symptoms, an endoscopy with biopsies is mandatory in order to establish a definite diagnosis. The recommended index to assess its activity is the Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (PDAI), but its modified version (PDAIm) can be used in clinical practice. In accordance with the duration of symptoms, pouchitis can be classified as acute (<4 weeks) or chronic (>4 weeks), and, regarding its course, pouchitis can be infrequent (<4 episodes per year), recurrent (>4 episodes per year) or continuous.

A Personalized Approach to Managing Patients With an Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis

Quality of life after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) surgery is generally good. However, patients can be troubled by pouch-related symptoms and pouch disorders that can be inflammatory, mechanical/surgical, and functional. Management of patients with IPAA begins with measures to maintain a healthy pouch such as optimizing pouch function, providing tailored advice on a healthy diet and lifestyle, screening for and addressing metabolic complications of IPAA, pouch surveillance, and risk stratification for risk of pouchitis and pouch failure. Pouchitis is the most common inflammatory disorder. Primary pouchitis is a spectrum currently classified into three progressive phases-an antibiotic-responsive, an antibiotic-dependent, and an antibiotic-refractory phase. It is predominately microbially mediated in acute antibiotic-responsive pouchitis and predominately immune mediated in chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis (CARP). Secondary prophylaxis is recommended for recurrent antibiotic-responsive and for antibiotic-dependent pouchitis. Secondary causes of antibiotic-refractory pouchitis should be ruled out before a diagnosis of CARP is made. CARP is best classified as primary sclerosing cholangitis associated, immunoglobulin G4-associated, and autoimmune. Primary sclerosing cholangitis-associated CARP can be treated with budesonide or oral vancomycin. Early recognition of immunoglobulin G4-associated pouchitis minimizes ineffective antibiotic use. Autoimmune CARP can be managed in a manner similar to UC. The current place of immunosuppressives in the treatment algorithm depends on availability and early access to biological agents. Vedolizumab and ustekinumab are the preferred first- and second-line biologics for autoimmune CARP owing to their efficacy, better side effect profile, and low immunogenicity and need for concomitant immunomodulatory therapy. Antitumor necrosis factor should be reserved for autoimmune CARP failing the above and for CD of the pouch. There are no guidelines for the surveillance of pouches for dysplasia. Incidence varies based on a patient's risk. Since incidence is low, a risk-stratified approach is recommended.

From bench to bedside: Fecal calprotectin in inflammatory bowel diseases clinical setting

Fecal calprotectin (FC) has emerged as one of the most useful tools for clinical management of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Many different methods of assessment have been developed and different cut-offs have been suggested for different clinical settings. We carried out a comprehensive literature review of the most relevant FC-related topics: the role of FC in discriminating between IBD and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and its use in managing IBD patients In patients with intestinal symptoms, due to the high negative predictive value a normal FC level reliably rules out active IBD. In IBD patients a correlation with both mucosal healing and histology was found, and there is increasing evidence that FC assessment can be helpful in monitoring disease activity and response to therapy as well as in predicting relapse, post-operative recurrence or pouchitis. Recently, its use in the context of a treat-to-target approach led to a better outcome than clinically-based therapy adjustment in patients with early Crohn’s disease. In conclusion, FC measurement represents a cheap, safe and reliable test, easy to perform and with a good reproducibility. The main concerns are still related to the choice of the optimal cut-off, both for differentiating IBD from IBS, and for the management of IBD patients.

Molecular diagnosis and classification of inflammatory bowel disease

INTRODUCTION

Traditional diagnosis and classification of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) have been based on clinical evaluation, laboratory testing, endoscopy, imaging, and histological examinations. With the advancement of medical technology, an increasing number of molecular surrogates are playing a key role in diagnosis, differential diagnosis, assessment of disease activity, prediction of clinical course, and therapeutic response of IBD. Areas covered: The authors review roles of both existing and emerging surrogates including genetic, serological, histologic, and fecal markers in diagnosis and classification of IBD. Comparisons in advantages and disadvantages of different markers have also been discussed. In addition, this review underscores controversial and unclear aspects which need further study. Expert commentary: IBD is characteristic of chronicity, relapse-remission and destructiveness. It is of great importance for clinicians to make an accurate diagnosis and classification. Current and new molecular markers perform well with acceptable sensitivity and specificity. The use of molecular markers in clinical practice needs to be further explored and then generalized. More work is warranted to identify novel useful markers and elucidate how to apply them together with current markers in clinical settings.

Fecal biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease: how, when and why?

Over the last thirty years knowledge on fecal biomarkers (FM) has substantially increased. Nowadays these non-invasive inflammation markers are used in the daily management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The interest in investigating FM was motivated by the need of a simple, quick, disposable and less invasive marker of disease activity, which might remove the need for endoscopy when following up with patients. Areas covered: Current literature was reviewed for articles regarding the role of FM in IBD diagnosis, activity, flare prediction, medication and surgical treatment response as well as how FM may differ in adult and paediatric IBD patient populations. Expert commentary: Although FM is relevant in IBD patient follow-up, there isn't enough data regarding FM reference values for different ages, different disease subtypes, disease localization/extension or response to therapy. Serial measurements of FM for each patient may be useful in accessing relapse in most patients. FM presented more consistent results when used as a predictive tool of relapse after ileocecal surgery in Crohn's disease. Ongoing research will clarify FM role in decision-making IBD daily practice.

Improving the Preoperative Diagnostic Accuracy of Acute Appendicitis. Can Fecal Calprotectin Be Helpful?

Background

Is the patient really suffering from acute appendicitis? Right lower quadrant pain is the most common sign of acute appendicitis. However, many other bowels pathologies might mimic acute appendicitis. Due to fear of the consequences of delayed or missed diagnosis, the indication for emergency appendectomy is liberally made. This has been shown to be associated with high rates of negative appendectomy with risk of potentially serious or lethal complications. Thus there is need for a better preoperative screening of patients with suspected appendicitis.

Methods

This prospective single center single-blinded pilot study was conducted in the Department of surgery at the HELIOS Universitätsklinikum Wuppertal, Germany. Calprotectin was measured in pre-therapeutic stool samples of patients presenting in the emergency department with pain to the right lower quadrant. Fecal calprotectin (FC) values were analyzed using commercially available ELISA kits. Cut-off values for FC were studied using the receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve. The Area under the curve (AUC) was reported for each ROC curve.

Results

The mean FC value was 51.4 ± 118.8 μg/g in patients with AA, 320.9 ± 416.6 μg/g in patients with infectious enteritis and 24.8 ± 27.4 μg/g in the control group. ROC curve showed a close to 80% specificity and sensitivity of FC for AA at a cut-off value of 51 μg/g, AUC = 0.7. The sensitivity of FC at this cut-off value is zero for enteritis with a specificity of 35%.

Conclusion

Fecal calprotectin could be helpful in screening patients with pain to the right lower quadrant for the presence of acute appendicitis or infectious enteritis with the aim of facilitating clinical decision-making and reducing the rate of negative appendectomy.

Noninvasive Testing for Mucosal Inflammation in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Biomarkers have gained increasing attention for the diagnosis and follow-up of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Endoscopy remains the gold standard for assessing disease activity. Biomarkers are rapid, inexpensive, and noninvasive, and can be used in different stages of the disease with high sensitivity and specificity. Calprotectin and tests for C-reactive protein are used to assess the disease activity, predict relapse, and monitor treatment response. New noninvasive tests are being studied. This review discusses current evidence for these surrogate markers, their potential clinical applications, and limitations in disease management. We highlight recent advances in IBD biomarkers and future uses.

Effect of probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum 299 plus Bifidobacterium Cure21) in patients with poor ileal pouch function: a randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

Poor pouch function after restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis is a considerable problem. Pouchitis and functional disorders are the most common reasons. Probiotics seem to have a beneficial effect in pouchitis but have not been assessed in functional pouch disorders. The aim was to analyse the effects of probiotics in patients with poor pouch function.

METHODS

Thirty-three patients were randomized to probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum 299 and Bifidobacterium infantis Cure 21) or placebo in a double blinded, 1:1 fashion. The treatment effect was assessed by the pouch functional score (PFS; 0-15, 15 worst), pouchitis disease activity index (PDAI; 0-18, 18 worst), and levels of four faecal biomarkers of inflammation (calprotectin, lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase [MPO] and eosinophilic cationic protein [ECP]).

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients were included (probiotics = 17, placebo = 16). There was no difference in change in the PFS from before to after treatment between the groups (median difference: -1.00, 95% C.I. -3.00 to 0.00, p = 0.119). Furthermore, probiotics had no effect on PDAI (median difference: 0.00, 95% C.I. 0.00-1.00, p = 0.786), or on faecal biomarkers. Significant correlations were observed between PDAI and each of the faecal biomarkers at study start. There were no correlations between PFS or PDAI symptom subscore and the biomarkers. PDAI endoscopic and histologic subscores correlated significantly to each of the biomarkers.

CONCLUSION

The hypothesis that probiotics improves pouch-related dysfunction was not confirmed. Faecal biomarkers could play a future role in the management of pouch patients.

Fecal calprotectin: its scope and utility in the management of inflammatory bowel disease

Gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, dyspepsia, and diarrhea are relatively nonspecific and a common cause for seeking medical attention. To date, it is challenging for physicians to differentiate between functional and organic gastrointestinal conditions and it involves the use of serological and endoscopic techniques. Therefore, a simple, noninvasive, inexpensive, and effective test would be of utmost importance in clinical practice. Fecal calprotectin (FC) is considered to be a reliable biomarker that fulfills these criteria. FC can detect intestinal inflammation, and its level correlates well with macroscopic and histological inflammation as detected by colonoscopy and biopsies, respectively. FC has a decent diagnostic accuracy for differentiating organic diseases and functional disorders because of its excellent negative predictive value in ruling out inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in symptomatic undiagnosed patients. There is accumulating evidence that FC has been effectively used to monitor the natural course of IBD, to predict relapse, and to see the response to treatment. This novel biomarker has the ability to assess mucosal healing (MH), which is a therapeutic goal in IBD management. A literature search was carried out using PubMed with the keywords FC, IBD, intestinal inflammation, and MH. In our review, we provide an overview of the utility and scope of FC as a biomarker in patients with IBD as well as undiagnosed patients with lower gastrointestinal symptoms.

Calprotectin could be a potential biomarker for acute appendicitis

BACKGROUND

Acute appendicitis is a common cause for a visit to the emergency department and appendectomy represents the most common emergency procedure in surgery. The rate of negative appendectomy however has remained high despite modern diagnostic apparatus. Therefore, there is need for a better preoperative screening of patients with suspected appendicitis. Calprotectin represents a predominant protein in the cytosol of neutrophil granulocytes and has been extensively investigated with regard to bowel pathologies. This study investigates the expression of calprotectin in the lumen of the vermiform appendix of patients undergoing appendectomy for suspected appendicitis.

METHODS

Appendix specimens from patients undergoing emergency appendectomy for suspected acute appendicitis were examined. Acute appendicitis was confirmed on histopathology. The qualitative expression of calprotectin in the vermiform appendix specimens was analyzed using specific calprotectin antibodies.

RESULTS

Vermiform appendix specimens from 52 patients (22 female and 30 male) including 11 with uncomplicated and 41 with complicated appendicitis were analyzed. Strong immunostainings were achieved with calprotectin antibody in the lumen of all specimens irrespective of the extent of appendicitis. Immunostaining was negative in the uninflamed appendix.

CONCLUSIONS

High calprotectin activity could be demonstrated within the lumen of vermiform appendix specimens following appendectomy for acute appendicitis. The high luminal accumulation of calprotectin-carrying cells could be interpreted as an invitation to study the expression of calprotectin in stool as a new diagnostic aid in patients with suspected appendicitis.

Relevance of fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin in the post-operative management of inflammatory bowel diseases

The role of fecal lactoferrin and calprotectin has been extensively studied in many areas of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients’ management. The post-operative setting in both Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) patients has been less investigated although few promising results come from small, cross-sectional studies. Therefore, the current post-operative management still requires endoscopy 6-12 mo after intestinal resection for CD in order to exclude endoscopic recurrence and plan the therapeutic strategy. In patients who underwent restorative proctocolectomy, endoscopy is required whenever symptoms includes the possibility of pouchitis. There is emerging evidence that fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin are useful surrogate markers of inflammation in the post-operative setting, they correlate with the presence and severity of endoscopic recurrence according to Rutgeerts’ score and possibly predict the subsequent clinical recurrence and response to therapy in CD patients. Similarly, fecal markers show a good correlation with the presence of pouchitis, as confirmed by endoscopy in operated UC patients. Fecal calprotectin seems to be able to predict the short-term development of pouchitis in asymptomatic patients and to vary according to response to medical treatment. The possibility of both fecal markers to used in the routine clinical practice for monitoring IBD patients in the post-operative setting should be confirmed in multicentric clinical trial with large sample set. An algorithm that can predict the optimal use and timing of fecal markers testing, the effective need and timing of endoscopy and the cost-effectiveness of these as a strategy of care would be of great interest.

Fecal calprotectin in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome share many symptoms. While irritable bowel syndrome is a functional bowel disorder for which no specific treatment is available, the range of effective therapies for IBD is evolving rapidly. Accurate diagnosis of IBD is therefore essential. Clinical assessment, together with various imaging modalities and endoscopy, has been the mainstay of diagnosis for many years. Fecal biomarkers of gastrointestinal inflammation have appeared in the past decade, of which calprotectin, a neutrophil cytosolic protein, has been studied the most. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic remitting and relapsing diseases, and objective assessment of disease activity and response to treatment are important. This review focuses on the use of fecal calprotectin measurements in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with IBD.

Consecutive Monitoring of Fecal Calprotectin and Lactoferrin for the Early Diagnosis and Prediction of Pouchitis after Restorative Proctocolectomy for Ulcerative Colitis

OBJECTIVES

This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the significance of consecutive monitoring of fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin for the early diagnosis and prediction of pouchitis after restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis (UC).

METHODS

Sixty patients who had ileostomy closure following total proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for UC were included. Stool samples were collected for the measurement of calprotectin and lactoferrin every 2 months up to 12 months after the ileostomy closure. When patients had symptoms suggestive of pouchitis, endoscopic examination was immediately undertaken. All asymptomatic patients underwent endoscopy at 12 months. Pouchitis was defined as a pouchitis disease activity index score of ≥7.

RESULTS

During the 12 months, 10 patients (17%) developed pouchitis. In patients with pouchitis, fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin levels were elevated already 2 months before the diagnosis of pouchitis. In contrast, these fecal biomarkers remained at low levels, and they did not change significantly in patients without pouchitis. A cutoff value of 56 μg/g for calprotectin had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 84% to predict pouchitis, whereas a cutoff value of 50 μg/g for lactoferrin had a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 86%. At the time of endoscopy, the median calprotectin and lactoferrin levels were significantly higher in patients with pouchitis than those without pouchitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin levels appeared to be significant predictors of pouchitis after restorative proctocolectomy for UC. Consecutive monitoring of these fecal biomarkers is useful for the early diagnosis of pouchitis.

Fecal calprotectin use in inflammatory bowel disease and beyond: A mini-review

Given the number of inflammatory disorders affecting the gastrointestinal tract directly and indirectly, coupled with the considerable overlap with functional disorders, it is evident that more useful noninvasive diagnostic tests are required to aid with diagnosis. If these tests can also have some utility for individual patient follow-up in terms of disease activity and response to treatment, as well as providing forewarning of disease relapse, it would be extremely useful information for the clinician. One recently described test that may fulfill several of these attributes is based on leakage of a mononuclear cell cytoplasmic protein, calprotectin, along the intestinal tract, which can then be quantified in feces. This has been used to distinguish patients exhibiting symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome from patients with inflammatory bowel disease, with a measure of success greater than with currently used techniques. The present article summarizes the experience with this test used in inflammatory bowel disease, as well as a variety of gastrointestinal disorders.

Faecal matrix metalloprotease-9 is a more sensitive marker for diagnosing pouchitis than faecal calprotectin: results from a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Potential non-invasive markers of pouchitis would have a great deal of significance within clinical practice.

AIM

This study is aimed at assessing the diagnostic accuracy of fecal calprotectin and matrix metalloprotease-9 as potential markers in patients both with and without pouchitis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Stool and blood samples were collected from 33 ileal pouch-anal anastomosis patients before a follow-up pouchoscopy. Biopsy samples were taken for histological purposes. The presence of cuffitis and stenosis was evaluated with an endoscopy. Calprotectin and matrix metalloprotease-9 were quantified with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Pouchitis was detected in 30.3% of the patients. The levels of fecal calprotectin and matrix metalloprotease-9 increased significantly in patients with pouchitis. The sensitivity and specificity of matrix metalloprotease-9 was higher than that of fecal calprotectin. Only matrix metalloprotease-9 correlated significantly with the severity of pouchitis.

DISCUSSION

Fecal matrix metalloprotease-9 has a high specificity in the diagnosis of pouchitis.

Serum alpha-1 antitrypsin: a noninvasive marker of pouchitis

BACKGROUND

Patients with ulcerative colitis undergoing total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis may develop pouchitis. Alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) is an acute phase reactant produced mainly by hepatocytes, but also locally in the gut. Data on noninvasive biomarkers of pouchitis are scarce.

METHODS

To identify biomarkers that correlate with pouch inflammation, ulcerative colitis pouch patients were prospectively recruited and underwent clinical, endoscopic, and histologic evaluations. The Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (PDAI) was calculated, and pouchitis was defined by a score ≥7. Serum and fecal AAT, C-reactive protein (CRP), fecal calprotectin, ferritin and albumin levels were measured.

RESULTS

Seventy-one ulcerative colitis pouch patients (mean age 43.8 ± 8.3 yr, 50.7% males) were included. The main indication for ileal pouch-anal anastomosis was intractable colitis (83.1%). Median serum AAT level (183.0 mg/dL, 155.1-232.0) was significantly higher in patients with a PDAI ≥7 compared with those with a PDAI <7 (167.6 mg/dL, 151.0-181.0) (P = 0.03). Serum AAT, CRP, and fecal calprotectin levels significantly correlated with PDAI scores: r = 0.583, P < 0.001; r = 0.584, P < 0.001; and r = 0.606, P = 0.001, respectively. Serum AAT and CRP levels correlated significantly (r = 0.650, P < 0.001), as did serum AAT and fecal calprotectin levels (r = 0.663, P < 0.001). Fecal AAT levels did not correlate with any tested biomarker. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of 55.6%, 100%, and 100%, respectively, for diagnosing pouchitis at a serum AAT cutoff level of 189 mg/dL.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum AAT is a specific noninvasive biomarker of pouchitis. AAT levels correlate with disease activity and CRP and calprotectin levels.

Fecal calprotectin in systemic sclerosis and review of the literature

Fecal calprotectin (FC) is a simple, non-invasive and reproducible test, which has been described to be highly elevated in patients with active inflammatory bowel diseases. Recently, few authors have reported increased levels of FC in SSc patients, although the relationship between FC levels and the degree of gastrointestinal involvement has not yet been determined in patients with SSc. Thus, this prospective study aimed to: 1) determine the prevalence of increased fecal calprotectin (FC) levels in unselected patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc); 2) make prediction about which SSc patients exhibit increased levels of FC; and 3) evaluate the correlation between increased levels of FC and digestive symptoms, and gastrointestinal involvement, including the presence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) using glucose H2/CH4 breath test. 125 consecutive patients with SSc underwent FC levels and glucose H2/CH4 breath test. All of the patients with SSc also completed a questionnaire on digestive symptoms, and a global symptom score (GSS) was calculated. 93 (74.4%) patients had abnormal levels of FC (>50 μg/g); 68 patients (54.4%) exhibited highly elevated levels of FC (>200 μg/g). A marked correlation was found between abnormal FC levels and GSS score of digestive symptoms, esophageal involvement and delayed gastric emptying. Moreover, we found a strong association between abnormal levels of FC and the presence of SIBO on glucose H2/CH4 breath test, with the higher correlation between the presence of SIBO and the level of FC ≥275 μg/g with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.97 ± 0.001 (CI: 0.93-0.99; p<10(-6)); the sensitivity of FC level ≥275 μg/g for predicting SIBO was as high as 0.93, while the specificity was 0.95. Finally, eradication of SIBO was obtained in 52.4% of the SSc patients with a significant improvement of intestinal symptoms. Finally, after 3 months of rotating courses of alternative antibiotic therapy, eradication of SIBO was associated with significant decrease of FC levels in SSc patients. The current study underscores that abnormal FC levels were correlated with gastrointestinal impairment, especially SIBO. Because FC levels ≥275 μg/g were markedly associated with the presence of SIBO, our findings suggest that FC may be a helpful test in identifying the group of SSc patients at high risk for SIBO requiring glucose breath test to detect SIBO. Finally, we also suggest that FC levels may be helpful in SSc patients to assess SIBO eradication, as long-term antibiotic therapy is costly and carries risks such as the onset of pseudo-membranous colitis and SIBO-related antibiotic resistance.

Fecal calprotectin in diagnosis and clinical assessment of inflammatory bowel disease

The fecal neutrophil-derived biomarker calprotectin has several features of an ideal noninvasive test for detecting intestinal inflammation: it is simple, reliable, and low in cost. Its utility in differentiating inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) from functional conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome is well documented. Fecal calprotectin (FC) correlates closely with endoscopic activity of IBD. Emerging evidence suggest its usefulness in serial monitoring of disease activity and of therapy success in IBD. A low FC concentration predicts persistence of clinical remission especially in non-symptomatic ulcerative colitis and Crohn's colitis. Here, an overview is given to the current role of FC in diagnosis and clinical assessment of IBD.

The role and utility of faecal markers in inflammatory bowel disease

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are characterized by periods of symptomatic relapse and remission. Diagnosis and assessment of inflammatory bowel disease has so far been based on clinical evaluation, serum parameters, radiology and endoscopy. Faecal markers such as calprotectin or lactoferrin have emerged as new diagnostic tools to detect and monitor intestinal inflammation. This review focuses on their potential clinical applications and limitations in the management of inflammatory bowel disease.

Update on the pathogenesis and management of pouchitis

Pouchitis is an inflammatory complication after restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). IPAA is the surgical treatment of choice in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) who require colectomy. Initial episodes of acute pouchitis generally respond to antibiotics but significant numbers of cases eventually become dependent on or refractory to antibiotics. Management of chronic antibiotic refractory pouchitis is challenging and can ultimately lead to pouch failure. The etiopathogenesis is unknown though recent studies have implicated bacterial dysbiosis of the pouch microbiota, NOD2 polymorphism, and Clostridium difficile infection in the development of severe pouchitis. Early identification of risk factors can help in tailoring therapy and reducing cases of chronic pouchitis.

Managing intractable proctitis and the problematic pouch

Proctitis accounts for a significant proportion of cases of ulcerative colitis (UC), and some patients subsequently develop more extensive disease. However, most patients continue to have limited inflammation, although the changes in the distal colon and rectum can occasionally be severe, and symptoms of increased frequency, rectal bleeding and urgency can be as disabling as they are for patients with more extensive colitis. Furthermore, although symptoms are typically well controlled with standard medications, medically refractory proctitis poses particular problems. Patients generally are not systemically unwell, and there is no added fear of cancer. Therefore, the prospect of colectomy for such limited disease is resisted by patients, physicians and surgeons alike. Unusual therapies, often delivered locally by enema or suppository, have been tested in small case series without definitive outcomes. The pathogenesis of such limited, yet intractable inflammation remains unclear, and the differential diagnosis should be carefully reviewed to ensure that local disease, whether it is infectious, vascular, or a result of injury or degeneration, is not overlooked. Ileo-anal pouch formation is the surgery of choice for about 20% of patients with UC who undergo colectomy. In the majority of cases, this surgery results in an acceptable quality of life and freedom from a stoma. However, in a sizeable minority of cases, pouch dysfunction can cause intractable problems. The causes of pouch dysfunction are varied and must all be considered carefully, particularly in refractory cases. Pouchitis is a common issue and is usually transient and easily treated. However, refractory and chronic pouchitis can be challenging. Ischaemia, injury, infection and Crohn's disease can all cause refractory pouch dysfunction. In a minority of cases, there appears to be no apparent organic pathology, and the presumptive diagnosis is that of a functional pouch disorder. Although it is much rarer, neoplastic changes in the pouch must also be considered, and the risk managed appropriately. The management of both intractable proctitis and the problematic pouch is made more challenging by the wide differential diagnosis that must be considered and by the paucity of high-quality clinical trials to support any one therapy. Key strategies to overcoming these limitations include methodical and systematic investigation and review, and a willingness to tailor therapy to the individual patient. Clinical trials of new treatments should be supported, and data from the experience with small cohorts of patients should be meticulously collected, critically analysed and widely disseminated.

Long-term use of probiotics Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium has a prophylactic effect on the occurrence and severity of pouchitis: a randomized prospective study

AIM

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the long-term use of the composite probiotics in patients after restorative proctocolectomy.

METHOD

Forty-three patients (20 females and 23 males, aged 21 to 68 years) after restorative proctocolectomy were included in the study. After randomization patients were divided into placebo group and treatment group with oral intake of probiotic containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, and Bifidobacterium bifidus. Patients were investigated during initial visit and during final visit after 9 months. All patients were subjected to standard clinical and endoscopic examination with microscopic study of the specimens. Concentrations of calprotectin and pyruvate kinase isoenzyme M2-PK were determined in all cases.

RESULTS

The average severity of pouchitis and the number of patients with pouchitis significantly decrease after 9 months of the probiotic taking. The concentrations of calprotectin and pyruvate kinase isoenzyme M2-PK significantly decreased after the therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Nine months of the probiotic treatment (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, and Bifidobacterium bifidus) reduced the number of patients with pouchitis, decreased the PDAI score, and also decreased the fecal pyruvate kinase and calprotectin. The long-term probiotics use is safe and well accepted and can be an effective method of the pouchitis prevention.

Pouchitis: what every gastroenterologist needs to know

Pouchitis is the most common complication among patients with ulcerative colitis who have undergone restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Pouchitis is actually a spectrum of diseases that vary in etiology, pathogenesis, phenotype, and clinical course. Although initial acute episodes typically respond to antibiotic therapy, patients can become dependent on antibiotics or develop refractory disease. Many factors contribute to the course of refractory pouchitis, such as the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, infection with Clostridium difficile, pouch ischemia, or concurrent immune-mediated disorders. Identification of these secondary factors can help direct therapy.

Biomarkers in management of inflammatory bowel disease

In recent years the use of faecal and serologic biomarkers has been evaluated in the diagnosis and management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Faecal calprotectin (FC) has been proposed as a surrogate marker for intestinal inflammation; elevated concentrations in IBD patients have been confirmed in numerous studies. Already available rapid calprotectin tests help to differentiate between IBD and irritable bowel syndrome. Faecal calprotectin greatly correlates with endoscopic activity scales and reflects the mucosal healing; thus in patients in clinical remission high levels of it correlate with increased risk of disease relapse in the following 12 months. Adapting the calprotectin assay as a screening test before colonoscopy enables a significant reduction in endoscopic procedures. ANCA/ASCA antibodies have been used in IBD diagnosis and to distinguish CD from ulcerative colitis (UC). Lactoferrin and S100A12 protein were also used to assess the disease activity. This review aims to present the actual potential of biomarker assays for faster diagnosis of IBD and their ability to monitor the disease course, predict exacerbations and improve the way IBD is managed.

Utility of faecal calprotectin analysis in adult inflammatory bowel disease

The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are chronic relapsing, remitting disorders. Diagnosis, along with assessment of disease activity and prognosis present challenges to managing clinicians. Faecal biomarkers, such as faecal calprotectin, are a non-invasive method which can be used to aid these decisions. Calprotectin is a calcium and zinc binding protein found in the cytosol of human neutrophils and macrophages. It is released extracellularly in times of cell stress or damage and can be detected within faeces and thus can be used as a sensitive marker of intestinal inflammation. Faecal calprotectin has been shown to be useful in the diagnosis of IBD, correlates with mucosal disease activity and can help to predict response to treatment or relapse. With growing evidence supporting its use, over the last decade this faecal biomarker has significantly changed the way IBD is managed.

Utility of fecal and serum anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies in the diagnosis of Crohn's disease-like condition of the pouch

BACKGROUND

Fecal antibodies against bacterial products may directly reflect the interaction between luminal bacteria and mucosal immunity, and assays for these antibodies may be clinically useful in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of Crohn's disease-like (CDL) condition of the pouch.

AIMS

This study aims to evaluate stool and serum anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) in normal and diseased pouches, to assess the correlation between ASCA levels and endoscopic disease activity, and to ascertain the diagnostic utility of ASCA for CDL of the pouch.

METHODS

One hundred eighty-nine patients with ileal pouches were prospectively enrolled and corresponding serum and pouch aspirate samples were collected. Fecal and serum ASCA levels were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in a blinded fashion. Statistical analysis was then conducted using the signed rank test, Spearman correlation coefficients, and analysis of variance.

RESULTS

Forty-three patients (22.8 %) had irritable pouch syndrome or normal pouches, 74 (39.2 %) had pouchitis/cuffitis, 52 (27.5 %) had CDL, 9 (4.8 %) had familial adenomatous polyposis, and 11 (5.8 %) had surgical complications of the pouch. Receiver operating characteristic curves to distinguish CDL from other categories of pouch dysfunction had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.608 for fecal ASCA and an AUC of 0.517 for serum ASCA. Neither fecal nor serum ASCA correlated with endoscopic disease activity scores. There was a significant difference in the mean values of fecal ASCA between inflammatory and fistulizing CDL (0.27 vs. 0.03 ELISA units/ml, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Fecal ASCA appears to be better than serum ASCA in differentiating CDL from other pouch disorders, although this distinction may be of limited clinical utility.

Fecal markers: calprotectin and lactoferrin

Overall, fecal markers have been found to be more accurate than serum markers. However, fecal markers are not specific for IBD and may be elevated in a range of organic conditions. Fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin can still differentiate inflammatory disease from functional bowel disorders. Comparison studies have found an overall diagnostic accuracy in IBD of 80% to 100% for both calprotectin and lactoferrin. Elevated levels are found in both CD and UC making it difficult to distinguish between these 2 diagnoses from these biomarkers alone. Both markers correlated well to mucosal healing and histologic improvement. Hence, they may be useful in monitoring response to treatment and predicting endoscopic and clinical relapse. Overall, patients with elevated markers were at higher risk of postoperative recurrence than those with normal levels. Fecal markers are useful in predicting pouchitis as well. Fecal markers are helpful as an adjunctive tool in overall evaluation of patients with nonspecific symptoms and as a management tool in those with inflammatory disease to monitor disease activity and possibility of relapse. They are less invasive than colonoscopy and can help guide management in a more cost-effective manner.