Internal Medicine: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Correlation between Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity, Lichtiger Index and Fecal Calprotectin in Ulcerative Colitis Patients

Nakov RV, Nakov VN, Gerova VA, Penchev PI, Tankova L and Kundurzhiev TG

Aim: The aim of the current study was to assess the correlation between the Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS), Lichtiger Index and the fecal calprotectin (FC) levels in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients.

Methods: This prospective study included 58 patients with UC, referred for colonoscopy to our Center. The diagnosis of UC was based on the clinical, endoscopic, and histological criteria. FC was analyzed in stool samples by means of point-of-care desk-top Quantum Blue Reader® method.

Results: The UCEIS significantly correlated with levels of FC (r=0.869, p<0.001) and the Lichtiger Clinical Activity Index (r=0.862, p<0.001). Moreover, the Lichtiger Index demonstrated significant correlation with FC levels (r=0.869, p<0.001).

Conclusion: The strong correlation between clinical and endoscopic disease activity shows that FC is a useful biomarker for noninvasive activity monitoring in UC patients.