The Patient Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (P-SCCAI) can detect ulcerative colitis (UC) disease activity in remission: A comparison of the P-SCCAI with clinician-based SCCAI and biological markers

Aim: To develop a patient-based Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (P-SCCAI) of ulcerative colitis (UC) activity and to compare it with the clinician-based SCCAI, C-reactive protein (CRP) and Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) of UC activity. Monitoring UC activity may give patients disease control and prevent unnecessary examinations. Methods: Consecutive UC patients randomly completed the P-SCCAI either before or after consultation. Gastroenterologists assessed patients' UC activity on the same day. Overall agreement between SCCAI and P-SCCAI was calculated with Spearman's Rho and Mann Whitney U test. Agreement regarding active disease versus remission and agreement at domain level were calculated by percent agreement and kappa (lc). Results: 149 (response rate 84.7%) UC patients participated. P-SCCAI and SCCAI showed a large correlation (rs= 0.79). The medians (IQR) of the P-SCCAI (3.78;0-15) tended to be higher than those of the SCCAI (2.86;0-13), although this difference did not reach statistical significance (z= 1.711 p =0.088). In 77% of the cases the difference between clinicians and patients' scores was not clinically different (i.e. 2). Percentage agreement between clinicians and patients, judging UC as active or in remission, was 87%, rs = 0.66, tc=0.66, indicating a substantial agreement. In general patients tended to report more physical symptoms than clinicians. C-Reactive protein (CRP) was found to have a significant association with both P-SCCAI and SCCAI (K=0.32, K=0.39 respectively) as was PGA (K=0.73 for both indices). Conclusions: The P-SCCAI is a promising tool given its substantial agreement with the SCCAI and its feasibility. Therefore, P-SCCAI can complement SCCAI in clinical care and research. (C) 2012 European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.