Fecal Calprotectin for predicting Relapse and Activity in Patients with Crohn’s Disease: A Meta-analysis

Abstract

Aims: We aimed to perform a meta-analysis of the predictive capacity of fecal calprotectin (FC) in activity and relapse of Crohn's disease (CD). Materials and methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched systematically. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and other diagnostic indices were evaluated. Results: A total of 1,252 CD patients from 18 different studies were analyzed. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of FC at a cutoff value of 50 mug/g to predict activity of CD were 0.91 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.87-0.95] and 0.47 (95% CI: 0.35-0.59) respectively. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of FC at a cutoff value of larger than 150 mug/g to monitor relapse of CD was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.67-0.82) and 0.71 (95% CI: 0.66-0.76) respectively. The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve of FC for detecting CD activity was 0.78 (50 mug/g), 0.88 (100 mug/g), 0.85 (>150 mug/g), and the diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) was 10.21 (50 mug/g), 10.20 (100 mug/g), 11.68 (>150 mug/g) respectively. Conclusion: As a simple and noninvasive marker, FC is useful to predict the activity and relapse in CD patients, and the capacity of FC to predict CD activity was superior to its application in monitoring relapse of CD. How to cite this article: Zhuge Y, Huang Q-P, Li Q, Wang J-S. Fecal Calprotectin for predicting Relapse and Activity in Patients with Crohn's Disease: A Meta-analysis. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2016;6(2):116-124.