Investigating the Influence of Fecal Calprotectin Levels on the Progression of Crohn's Disease in Smokers and Non-Smokers

Abstract

Crohn's disease, a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder, exhibits significant variations in disease severity and outcomes among individuals. This study seeks to investigate the fecal calprotectin concentration in Crohn's disease patients, comparing those who smoke and those who do not. Stool samples were meticulously collected in sterile containers from both smoking and non-smoking Crohn's disease patients to detect calprotectin levels using the CHORUS apparatus. The established threshold values for interpretation were as follows: A POSITIVE result indicated calprotectin levels greater than 60 mg/kg, while a NEGATIVE result indicated levels less than 40 mg/kg.The current study enrolled a total of 60 Crohn's disease patients, with 30 identified as smokers and the remaining 30 as non-smokers. Our findings revealed that the concentration of fecal calprotectin in Crohn's disease patients was notably elevated in those who were tobacco users compared to their non-smoking counterparts. Moreover, a distinct pattern emerged when examining the age groups of the participants. Specifically, the mean ± standard deviation (SD) level of stool calprotectin was observed to be elevated in the age group of 30-49 years among the smoking patients, whereas lower results were recorded in the age group of 10-29 years among non-smoking patients. These results underscore the potential impact of smoking on fecal calprotectin levels in Crohn's disease patients and the role that age may play in this association. Further research and clinical investigation are warranted to explore the mechanisms behind these observed differences and their clinical implications