The Role of Faecal Calprotectin in Diagnosis and Staging of Colorectal Neoplasia: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Overview

Journal BMC Gastroenterol

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Gastroenterology

Date 2022 Apr 10

PMID 35397505

Authors

Fiona A Ross

James H Park

David Mansouri

Emilie Combet

Paul G Horgan

Donald C McMillan

Campbell S D Roxburgh

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: The presence of inflammation is a key hallmark of cancer and, plays an important role in disease progression and survival in colorectal cancer (CRC). Calprotectin detected in the faeces is a sensitive measure of colonic inflammation. The role of FC as a diagnostic test that may categorise patients by risk of neoplasia is poorly defined. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to characterise the relationship between elevations of FC and colorectal neoplasia.

Methods: A systematic review was performed using the keywords (MESH terms) and a statistical and meta-analysis was performed.

Results: A total of 35 studies are included in this review. CRC patients are more likely than controls to have an elevated FC OR 5.19, 95% CI 3.12-8.62, p < 0.001 with a heterogeneity (I = 27%). No tumour characteristics significantly correlated with FC, only stage of CRC shows signs that it may potentially correlate with FC.

Conclusion: FC levels are significantly higher in CRC, with high sensitivity. Its low specificity prevents it from being used to diagnose or screen for CRC.

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