Microinflammation in patients with Crohn's disease in clinical remission.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:

It is not clear whether Crohn's disease patients in clinical remission (Crohn's disease activity index<150) display normal concentrations of inflammation sensitive biomarkers. Our goal in this work was to explore the intensity of the microinflammatory response in a group of Crohn's disease patients in clinical remission.

METHODS:

High sensitivity C-reactive protein, quantitative fibrinogen, erythrocyte sedimentation rate as well as platelet and leukocyte counts were examined in a group of 76 patients with Crohn's disease in remission and in 228 matched controls.

RESULTS:

Crohn's disease patients in clinical remission displayed a statistically significant (p<0.001) elevated concentration of hs-CRP (4.83±3.8 mg/l) compared to controls (1.05±2.9 mg/l). All other bio-markers were also significantly higher in Crohn's disease patients in remission compared to controls. Similar results were obtained in a subgroup of Crohn's disease patients with very low disease activity - CDAI<75.

CONCLUSIONS:

Clinical remission is not equivalent to biochemical remission raising a question concerning the true definition of remission in Crohn's disease.

• Authors: Nitsan Maharshak, Liaz Zilberman, Yaron Arbel, Itzhak Shapira, Shlomo Berliner, Nadir Arber, Iris Dotan
• Journal: Journal of Crohn's & colitis (J Crohns Colitis) Vol. 2 Issue 4 Pg. 310-4 (Dec 2008) ISSN: 1873-9946 [Print] England
• PMID: 21172229 (Publication Type: Journal Article)