Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody titres correlate well with disease activity in children with Crohn's disease

Abstract

Aim The role of noninvasive biologic markers for disease activity is very important in children with Crohn's disease. The aim of this study was to assess an association between disease activity and quantitative serum anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody (ASCA) titres. Methods Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody immunoglobulin (Ig) A and immunoglobulin G titres, paediatric Crohn's disease activity index (PCDAI), serum albumin and C-reactive protein (CRP) were repeatedly measured simultaneously in children with Crohn's disease. A possible association between ASCA IgA and IgG titres and changes in PCDAI was examined. Results Serial 136 measurements of ASCA IgA and IgG titres were documented in 57 children with Crohn's disease over a mean duration of 3.1 ± 2.1 years. In a univariate linear regression model, there were significant correlations between ASCA IgA titres and PCDAI (p < 0.001), CRP (p <0.01) and low serum albumin (p < 0.001), respectively. Similarly, ASCA IgG titres significantly correlated with PCDAI, CRP and low serum albumin. Conclusion Both ASCA IgA and IgG titres seemed to correlate well with clinical Crohn's disease activity in children. Measuring these antibodies may be considered during routine clinical care for those patients.