Normalization of Fecal Calprotectin Within 12 Months of Diagnosis Is Associated With Reduced Risk of Disease Progression in Patients With Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The level of fecal calprotectin (FC) correlates with endoscopic evidence of inflammation in Crohn's disease (CD). A treat-to-target algorithm for patients with CD, that incorporates FC, outperforms a treatment strategy based on symptoms alone in the induction of mucosal healing at 12 months. We investigated whether normalization of FC within 12 months of diagnosis of CD is associated with a reduction in disease progression. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary IBD centre in the United Kingdom. We identified all incident cases of CD diagnosed from 2005 through 2017. Patients with a FC measurement >= 250 mu g/g at diagnosis who also had at least 1 follow-up FC measurement within the first 12 months of diagnosis and >12 months of follow up were included. The last FC measurement within 12 months of diagnosis was used to determine normalization (cut-off <250 mu g/g). The primary endpoint was time to first disease progression (composite of progression in Montreal disease behavior B1 to B2/3, B2 to B3, or new perianal disease; CD-related surgery; or CD-related hospitalization). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to determine independent factors associated with time to first disease progression. RESULTS: A total of 375 patients out of 1389 incident cases were included, with a median follow up of 5.3 years (interquartile range, 3.1-7.4 years). Normalization of FC within 12 months of diagnosis was confirmed in 43.5% of patients. Patients with normalized levels of FC had a significantly lower risk of composite disease progression (hazard ratio [HR], 0.36; 95% CI, 0.24-0.53; P <.001). They also had a lower risk of reaching any of the separate progression endpoints (progression in Montreal behavior or new perianal disease HR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.110.45; P <.001; hospitalization HR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.21-0.53; P <.001; surgery HR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.19-0.78; P = .008) CONCLUSIONS: Normalization of FC within 12 months of diagnosis is associated with a reduced risk of progression of CD.

Automated summary

The study found that normalization of fecal calprotectin levels within 12 months of diagnosis is associated with a reduced risk of progression of CD, with patients who achieved normalization having a significantly lower risk of disease progression.