These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Intestinal permeability test as a predictor of clinical course in Crohn's disease.
    Author: D'Incà R, Di Leo V, Corrao G, Martines D, D'Odorico A, Mestriner C, Venturi C, Longo G, Sturniolo GC.
    Journal: Am J Gastroenterol; 1999 Oct; 94(10):2956-60. PubMed ID: 10520851.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: The clinical course of Crohn's disease is often unpredictable. The aim of this study was to select the most useful parameters able to predict clinical relapses. METHODS: One hundred-thirty Crohn's disease patients in clinical remission were followed every 4 months for 2 yr or until clinical relapse. Demographic and clinical data were recorded and intestinal permeability (lactulose/mannitol [L/M] test) and biochemical tests (white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, alpha1 acid glycoprotein, and serum iron) were performed at study entry. A subgroup of 54 patients had clinical follow-up and repeated tests every 4 months. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients (40%) relapsed during the 2-yr follow-up. A significant correlation was found between relapse and gender (p = 0.030) but not between relapse and age, extent and type of disease, previous surgery, or therapy. Increased L/M test (p = 0.0001) and decreased serum iron level (p = 0.0057) were associated with clinical relapse. Time-dependent analysis, performed on patients receiving serial evaluation, showed that L/M test alteration was the only variable that could predict a relapse (RR 8.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.41-53.37; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The L/M test identifies Crohn's disease patients in apparent remission, but with a high risk of clinical relapse, better than clinical and biochemical indices. Different treatment strategies might be suggested for this subgroup of patients.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]