CALPROTECTIN (FECAL)

Overview

Calprotectin is most frequently used as part of the diagnostic evaluation of patients with suspected inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Patients with IBD may be diagnosed with Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis. Elevated concentrations of fecal calprotectin may be useful in distinguishing IBD from functional gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome. Elevations in fecal calprotectin are not diagnostic for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and normal fecal calprotectin concentrations do not exclude the possibility of IBD. Diagnosis of IBD should be based on clinical evaluation, endoscopy, histology, and imaging studies.