Evaluation of Calprotectin Levels in First-Degree Relatives of Patients with Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

Recent studies have shown the diagnostic value of fecal as well as serum calprotectin in predicting the severity and activity of inflammatory bowel disease. Given the strong familial and inherited predisposition to inflammatory bowel disease, it is assumed that changes in calprotectin levels are also influenced by familial predispositions. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the level of fecal calprotectin in patients and their first-degree relatives in order to determine the relationship between changes in this marker and its possible familial orientation. The study participants were the first-degree relatives (n = 100) of the patients (n = 33) with the definitive diagnosis of ulcerative colitis who referred to Rasoul-e-Akram hospital in 2018 and 2019. The fecal value of calprotectin was assessed using the ELISA method in both patients and the relatives. Fecal calprotectin level in patients was estimated to be 232.09±44.16μg/g. Fecal calprotectin level in the parents was 86.06±12.66μg/g, in siblings was 58.02±7.24μg/g and in the patient's children was 47.40±4.77μg/g. Fecal calprotectin levels were not affected by baseline indices such as gender, age, or BMI (either in patients or their relatives) and therefore these baseline factors had no effect on fecal calprotectin levels. Although fecal calprotectin levels are significantly longer in patients with ulcerative colitis than in healthy controls, the higher level of this marker among first-degree relatives of patients than healthy individuals also indicates the inherited tendency of changes in this marker in terms of high risk of disease in first-degree relatives of patients. These changes in fecal calprotectin levels will be independent of gender, age, and BMI