071 - Inflammatoy bowel disease: role of biochemical markers
Autor(s): G.C. Sturniolo, E. Dal Pont, R. D’Incà
Issue: RIMeL - IJLaM, Vol. 4, N. 2, 2008 (MAF Servizi srl ed.)
Page(s): 71-79
Inflammatory bowel disease diagnosis, monitoring, treatment and evaluation of complications, disease or drug related, are still a problem for the physician. All these features need combined approach to the patient: clinic evaluation, lab and instrumental exams are important elements for a precise assessment of disease activity and for predicting disease course. Traditional biochemical markers (ESR, CRP…) have a role for diagnosis, severity evaluation and in prognosis. More recently, new biochemical markers have been introduced: fecal proteins (lactoferrin and calprotectin), evaluation of intestinal permeability, antibodies which have proved to be useful for diagnosis, severity evaluation, prognosis and risk of complications. The usefulness in clinical practice is due to a more accurate and complete patients evaluation without invasive methods, that allow to make therapeutic changes suitable to patients at higher risk of relapse and complicated disease