SP5.4 - Is Fecal Calprotectin a useful test?

Abstract Aim To identify whether there is a correlation between a positive Fecal Calprotectin level(FCP) and a diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Method Data was collected retrospectively from a database of all colonoscopies performed at a District General Hospital. Data was collected including patient demographics, FCP result, colonoscopy and histology report from the hospital electronic record system. Results A total of 450 patients underwent a colonoscopy for any reason with 250 male and 200 female. The average age was 63.5 years. Patients undergoing surveillance or interventional colonoscopies were excluded. 90 patients were referred for colonoscopy with a change in bowel habit and all these patients had a FCP. Out of these, 42 had a FCP greater than 99 ug/g. Only 4 had IBD confirmed on histology, 3 had non-specific bowel inflammation. Of the other 360 patients who underwent a colonoscopy for other indications, 33 had a FCP sent, with 6 being positive. Out of a total of 48 patients who had a positive FCP, 25 had a FCP result greater than 250 ug/g. however, only three of these patients had IBD confirmed on histology. Conclusion The results show no correlation between a positive FCP and a diagnosis of IBD even using a higher cut off at 250 ug/g. For most cases with altered bowel habits or rectal bleeding, a FCP should not be recommended as it will not change the need for a colonoscopy.