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Fecal calprotectin indicated GI disease in systemic sclerosis patients
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Fecal calprotectin was a biomarker for gastrointestinal disease in patients with systemic sclerosis, when compared with patients with rheumatoid arthritis or primary Sjögren’s syndrome, according to recent research results.
Swedish researchers measured fecal calprotectin (FC) in 93 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc; median age, 62 years; 83% women), primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS; median age, 61 years; 98% women), rheumatoid arthritis (RA; median age, 66 years; 83% women) and healthy hospital workers (controls; median age, 56 years; 81% women). Intra class correlation (ICC) and kappa statistics were used to determine intraindividual variability of FC in SSc.
“Associations between FC and objective markers of GI disease and immunosuppressive medication were investigated,” the researchers reported.
Previous results were confirmed when cineradiography assessment found FC associated with micronutrient deficiency and GI pathology. Limited intra-individual variation in SCC was shown through FC (ICC=0.69 [95% CI, 0.57-0.78] and kappa=0.64 [95% CI, 0.56-0.73]).
FC did not experience significant impact from general immunosuppression. Patients with SSc had significantly higher FC values compared with patients with pSS or RA and the healthy controls.
“FC is a noninvasive biomarker for GI disease in SSc with only limited variation upon repeated testing,” the researchers concluded. “FC is higher in SSC compared to RA, pSS and healthy controls. Even though further studies are needed to determine the exact mechanisms behind pathological FC testing in SSc, FC is a promising tool for assessing novel drugs targeting the GI tract in SSc.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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