Differentiating patients with IBD from those with IBS can be difficult. This is mostly because both conditions present several similar symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Historically, clinical gastroenterology uses invasive endoscopy to distinguish IBD from IBS. Now, through advanced testing procedures, gastrointestinal symptoms indicative of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease can be easily diagnosed.
Fecal calprotectin analysis eliminates the need for unnecessary colonoscopy procedures which will effectively minimize patient stress, shorten the clinic wait time, and lessen costs.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the gastrointestinal tract. A person suffering from IBS will show symptoms including cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. e
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is the chronic inflammation of tissues in your digestive tract. Depending on the severity of the inflammation, a person with IBD can experience diarrhea, fatigue, abdominal pain and cramping, bloody stool, reduced appetite, and weight loss.
The two types of IBD that have symptoms of diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss are the following:
1. Ulcerative Colitis: This is the inflammation and sores (ulcers) along the lining of a person’s large intestine and rectum. 2. Crohn’s Disease: This is characterized by inflammation of the lining of your digestive tract, which often can involve the deeper layers of the digestive tract. This disease commonly affects the small intestine and upper gastrointestinal tract.
The Presence of Calprotectin in Stool
Calprotectin is a protein biomarker present in human feces because of intestinal inflammation. The measurement for Calprotectin concentration is considered one of the most reliable procedures to discern IBD from IBS.
The amount of calprotectin in stool is directly associated with the severity of intestinal inflammation. This analysis helps ensure efficient treatment adapted to the specific needs of the patient.
About RIDASCREEN® Calprotectin
RIDASCREEN® Calprotectin is an enzyme immunoassay used for determining the presence of human calprotectin in stool samples. It can measure fecal calprotectin which acts as a reliable indicator of the presence of early and severe inflammatory diseases.
