Background. Only limited data is available regarding the diagnostic accuracy of faecal matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aims of our study were to assess the diagnostic accuracy of faecal MMP-9 in patients with active Crohn’s disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC) and pouchitis, and to compare the diagnostic accuracy of faecal MMP-9 and faecal calprotectin (CP) in IBD. Patients and methods. Stool and blood samples were collected in 50 CD, 54 UC and 34 ileal pouch-anal anastomosis patients before a control endoscopy was performed. Biopsies were taken for histological purposes. The activities of CD, UC and pouchitis were defined with the use of clinical, endoscopic and histological activity scores. Faecal CP and MMP-9 levels were quantified by use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. Active CD, UC and pouchitis was detected in 38%, 54% and 29% of the patients. A significant correlation was revealed between faecal CP and the clinical activities of CD and UC, and between faecal CP and the endoscopic activity of UC and pouchitis. Faecal MMP-9 did not correlate with any of the activity indices of CD, however strong association was shown between faecal MMP-9 and clinical, endoscopic and histological activities of both UC and pouchitis. Conclusion. This is the first study assessing the diagnostic accuracy of MMP-9 in different types of IBD. Our results showed that faecal MMP-9 has high sensitivity in the detection of endoscopically active UC and pouchitis. These non-invasive methods help assessing intestinal inflammation.
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