CRP correlates with clinical score in ulcerative colitis but not in Crohn's disease

• Published in: Digestive diseases and sciences Vol. 52; no. 9; pp. 2063 - 2068
• Main Authors: RODGERS, Alexander D, CUMMINS, Adrian G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01.09.2007; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - blood; Biopsy; Blood Sedimentation; C-Reactive Protein - metabolism; Colitis, Ulcerative - blood; Colitis, Ulcerative - pathology; Colonoscopy; Crohn Disease - blood; Crohn Disease - pathology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Other diseases. Semiology; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Severity of Illness Index; Sigmoidoscopy; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; Inflammatory bowel disease; Crohn disease; Sedimentation rate; C-reactive protein; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease; Crohn's disease; Erythrocyte sedimentation rate; C reactive protein; Inflammatory disease; Ulcerative colitis
• ISSN: 0163-2116; 1573-2568
• DOI: 10.1007/s10620-006-9691-2

The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the correlation between clinical scoring systems and C-reactive protein (CRP) in inflammatory bowel disease. The modified Harvey-Bradshaw index was used in 40 patients (58 assessments) with Crohn's disease, and the Lichtiger score in 29 patients (36 assessments) with ulcerative colitis. In ulcerative colitis, CRP was elevated in 14%, 42%, 64%, and 83%, respectively, of subjects with quiescent, mild, moderate, and severe disease. There was a linear correlation of log(CRP) with clinical score except for proctitis. In Crohn's disease, CRP was elevated in 54%, 70%, 75%, and 100%, respectively, of subjects with quiescent, mild, moderate, and severe disease. We conclude that the clinical score has a good correlation with CRP in ulcerative colitis except for proctitis, whereas clinical score has a poor correlation with CRP in Crohn's disease, particularly in those with clinically quiescent, fibrostenotic, and ileal disease.