Inflammatory bowel diseases
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Inflamm. Bowel Dis. · May 2004
Comparative StudySerum procalcitonin differentiates inflammatory bowel disease and self-limited colitis.
The distinction between idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and infectious, usually self-limited enterocolitis is still a diagnostic dilemma. Procalcitonin (PCT) is the prohormone of calcitonin and is considered a specific marker of bacterial infection. The aim of this prospective study was to determine the value of PCT in differentiating flares of IBD from self-limited colitis. In addition, because standard laboratory inflammatory parameters are poorly correlated with disease activity in IBD, the relation between PCT levels and disease activity was investigated. ⋯ The measurement of PCT offers two diagnostic options in IBD. Supranormal levels indicate self-limited enterocolitis. Furthermore, although within the normal range in IBD, PCT levels may serve as a new serological marker of disease activity.
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Inflamm. Bowel Dis. · May 2004
Autoimmune disorders and extraintestinal manifestations in first-degree familial and sporadic inflammatory bowel disease: a case-control study.
Genetic factors may play a role in determining the development of extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) and autoimmune diseases (AD) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We sought to determine the association between EIMs and AD in patients with first-degree familial IBD and sporadic IBD. ⋯ There was a positive association between IBD status (patient vs control) versus EIM, but not AD. A significant positive association between disease type (familial or sporadic) versus either EIM or AD was not detected.