Capsule endoscopic findings correlate with fecal calprotectin and C-reactive protein in patients with suspected small-bowel Crohn’s disease

AbstractObjective. Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a sensitive method for detecting inflammatory lesions in the small bowel. Such lesions may be due to Crohn’s disease but also to other causes and a histological diagnosis may be difficult to achieve in the small bowel. The aim of the study was to find a possible correlation between capsule endoscopic findings, biochemical parameters, and symptoms in patients with suspected or known small-bowel Crohn´s disease. Materials and methods. Thirty patients with inflammatory lesions in the small bowel diagnosed by CE were included. CE findings of inflammation were graded using the Lewis score. C-reactive protein (CRP) and fecal calprotectin were used as biochemical parameters. Symptoms were graded using the Harvey–Bradshaw index. The patients were followed up after 9 months with a second CE, CRP, fecal calprotectin, and Harvey–Bradshaw index. Results. There was a significant persistent correlation between endoscopic inflammation and fecal calprotectin (p = 0.003 at incl...