CRP/Albumin Ratio as Potential Indicator for Assessment of Disease Activity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a life-long illness; accordingly, the early recognition of the illness activity is significant for the management and prevention of complications. We aimed to assess the association between Hs-CAR, markers of inflammation, and CBC parameters in inflammatory bowel disease cases and their impact on illness activity. This study involved 100 Egyptian participants, comprising 80 individuals with IBD: 40 with active illness and 40 in remission, together with a control group of 20 healthy adults. Participants were chosen from the Outpatient Clinics of the Internal Medicine Departments at Al Zahraa University Hospital and Ain-Shams University Hospital in Egypt. The results revealed that CAR displayed a highly significant variance among the groups under investigation (P-value equal 0.003). Moreover, CAR was significantly higher in active CD patients compared to CD in the remission group and ulcerative colitis (UC) cases. In UC patients, CAR had a positive correlation with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), NLR, lymphocytes, and neutrophils. In CD patients, CAR was positively correlated with ESR, NLR, platelet (PLT), and lymphocytes. The UC-Mayo score and Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) have been positively correlated with ESR and CAR. The assessment of IBD activity by CAR is a non-invasive and easily accessible instrument. Furthermore, CAR was significantly greater in inactive IBD groups compared to IBD in remission groups. It is concluded that Hs-CAR is a promising non-invasive biomarker for early identification of IBD disease activity and severity, indicating a balance between nutritional status and inflammation.