Abstract | OBJECTIVES: Do gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in apparent remission reflect the coexistence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or subclinical inflammation? The aims of this study were as follows: (i) to prospectively determine the prevalence of IBS symptoms in IBD patients in remission; and (ii) to determine whether IBS symptoms correlate with levels of fecal calprotectin. METHODS: RESULTS: Rome II criteria for IBS were fulfilled in 37/62 (59.7%) of CD patients and by 17/44 (38.6%) of those with ulcerative colitis (UC). However, fecal calprotectin was significantly elevated above the upper limit of normal in both IBD patient groups, indicating the presence of occult inflammation. Furthermore, calprotectin levels were significantly higher in CD and UC patients with criteria for IBS than in those without IBS-type symptoms. QOL scores were lower and HAD scores higher among UC patients with IBS symptoms in comparison to those who did not have IBS symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: IBS-like symptoms are common in patients with IBD who are thought to be in clinical remission, but abnormal calprotectin levels suggest that the mechanism in most cases is likely to be occult inflammation rather than coexistent IBS.
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Authors | John Keohane, Caitlin O'Mahony, Liam O'Mahony, Siobhan O'Mahony, Eamonn M Quigley, Fergus Shanahan |
Journal | The American journal of gastroenterology
(Am J Gastroenterol)
Vol. 105
Issue 8
Pg. 1788, 1789-94; quiz 1795
(Aug 2010)
ISSN: 1572-0241 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 20389294
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Biomarkers
- Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex
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Topics |
- Adult
- Biomarkers
(analysis)
- Case-Control Studies
- Chi-Square Distribution
- Colitis, Ulcerative
(complications, diagnosis)
- Crohn Disease
(complications, diagnosis)
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Feces
(chemistry)
- Female
- Humans
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
(complications, diagnosis)
- Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex
(analysis)
- Male
- Statistics, Nonparametric
- Surveys and Questionnaires
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