Investigations Laboratory

Investigations Laboratory

A full blood count should be performed as anaemia is common, resulting from iron deficiency owing to blood loss, malabsorp tion or chronic disease. Vitamin B12 and folate deficiency may occur as a consequence of terminal ileal disease or resection. - - Active inflammatory disease is usually associated with low ectal serum albumin, magnesium, zinc and selenium. Acute-phase protein measurements (C-reactive protein) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate may correlate with disease activity . An elevated faecal concentration of calprotectin, a protein marker of mucosal inflammation, may support a diagnosis of CD in patients with new onset of persistent gastrointestinal symptoms. It can also be used to monitor disease activity in the long-term management of established CD. -

disease. A: age at diagnosis A1 ≤ 16 years old A2 17–40 years old A3

40 years old B (behaviour): B1 In /f_l ammatory progression B2 Stenosing B3 Penetrating p Perianal (can exist with any of the above) L: location L1 Ileal L2 Colonic L3 Ileocolonic L4 Upper digestive tract; can be added to any of the three above After Silverberg MS, Daly MJ, Moskovitz DN et al . Diagnostic mis

classi /f_i cation reduces the ability to detect linkage in in /f_l ammatory bowel disease genetic studies. Gut 2001; 49 : 773–6.