Fecal calprotectin-a valuable predictor of microscopic colitis

OBJECTIVE: Microscopic colitis (MC) has been of major concern worldwide due to its relapsing and remitting nature of chron-ic diarrhea. Quality of life of patients suffering from this disease is quite debilitating. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In order to un-derstand the role and importance of fecal calpro-tectin (FC) we performed a statistical analysis on the patients suffering from chronic diarrhea and admitted to our hospital from 2014 to 2020, and who were prescribed Loperamide (Imodium) or Budesonide or a combination of both and had undergone FC detection test. RESULTS: FC was found to be significantly correlated to the age, alcohol consumption and beta blocker use. A high level of the FC concen-trations increases the chances of having flare-ups of diarrhea episodes making the quality of life of such patients worse. CONCLUSIONS: FC concentrations should be monitored frequently and precautionary mea-sures to avoid a relapse should be aimed. Mea-sures to improve quality of life, should be of prime concern. In-depth research is required to better understand MC and to find better treatment op-tions which can be used on a long-term basis, in-stead of anti-motility drugs which are able to con-trol the acute episodes, but when discontinued result in an increased tendency to have relapses.

Automated summary

This study aimed to explore the correlation between fecal calprotectin (FC) levels and age, alcohol consumption, and beta blocker use in microscopic colitis (MC) patients. The results showed that high levels of FC concentrations were associated with increased risk of diarrhea flare-ups and worsened quality of life. Therefore, frequent monitoring of FC concentrations and preventive measures should be taken to improve the quality of life for these patients.