Method for the differentiation between patients with active Crohn's disease and patients in remission by detecting volatile organic compounds in exhaled air.

摘要

The present invention relates to the identification of markers for distinguishing between active Crohn's disease and patients in remission. The uses of such markers in the differential diagnosis of Crohn's disease and a novel method for their identification are herein described. We were able to discriminate between patients with active Crohn's disease and patients in remission by determining whether the exhaled air contained markers selected from that set. We also found that these markers can be used in the early diagnosis of active Crohn's disease. Moreover, these markers may be useful in the prediction of the occurrence of active Crohn's disease even when no other clinical signs are apparent yet.