Diagnostic markers of inflammatory bowel disease

The diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease is usually straightforward base d on a detailed history and physical examination, along with standard radio graphic and endoscopic investigations, biopsies, and laboratory parameters. More challenging is the search for clinically useful, noninvasive markers for Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis to accurately screen cases with no nspecific and indolent symptoms. Equally required are diagnostic markers th at discriminate between these two disorders in cases with indeterminate col itis. Another dilemma for clinicians is that there are no simple measures t o observe disease activity and predict relapses. This review describes the recent advances in diagnostic markers that afford the ability to screen for inflammatory bowel disease, discriminate between its types, and monitor di sease activity. These include serological, fecal, and tissue markers; perme ability tests; and diagnostic imaging using color Doppler ultrasonography. Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2000, 16:337-342 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wil kins, Inc.