Faecal analysis and plasma complement factor 3c levels at admission for an acute attack of ulcerative colitis are predictive of the need for colectomy.

BACKGROUND:Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation limited to the large bowel. Early identification of reliable predictive markers addressing the risk of need for colectomy in a severe attack of ulcerative colitis is of crucial importance. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate faecal characteristics and peripheral blood tests as predictive markers for subsequent risk of colectomy in a severe attack of ulcerative colitis. METHODS:This was an observational study. Samples were collected in a cohort of 18 patients with a severe attack of ulcerative colitis. A panel of selected variables was evaluated (faecal characteristics, peripheral blood samples including complement factor 3c, circulating cytokines and antisecretory factor) for ability to predict colectomy. The patients were observed for up to 58 months (median 37.5, range 0.5-58 months) and allocated to one of two groups depending on the clinical outcome on the basis of the need for colectomy. RESULTS:Seven patients underwent colectomy. The present study showed a positive correlation between increased bowel movements (P=0.01), faecal weight/bowel movement (P=0.03) and complement factor 3c levels (P=0.01) and a need for later colectomy. None of the other laboratory markers investigated were shown to be predictive of risk for later colectomy. CONCLUSION:Early faecal analysis and measurement of complement factor 3c may be useful as predictive markers of the need for colectomy related to a severe attack of ulcerative colitis.