Diagnostic value of fecal calprotectin in primary care patients with gastrointestinal symptoms: A retrospective Swedish cohort study

AIMS: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of fecal calprotectin (FC) for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and organic gastrointestinal disease (OGID) in primary care. To examine the association with demographic factors, symptoms and concomitant medical therapy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of data on all semiquantitative FC tests from individuals ≥18 years conducted in primary care in Östergötland County in 2010. A 5‐year follow‐up with inclusion of new gastrointestinal diagnoses. RESULTS: A total of 1293 eligible patients were included. IBD was found in 8.8% and other OGID in 30.8% of patients with positive FC. Positive FC was associated with diarrhea, age >60 years, duration <3 months, use of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID), and proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Predictors of IBD were positive FC, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and male sex; predictors of OGID positive FC, age >35 years, abnormal clinical findings, and duration <3 months. FC yielded the highest sensitivity and negative predictive value compared with demographic factors, symptoms, and duration. Use of NSAID and PPI showed a marginal increase in the sensitivity, positive predictive value, and decrease in the specificity of FC. Within 5 years, 4.0% had a new gastrointestinal diagnosis among patients with positive FC (0.6% IBD). CONCLUSIONS: FC reliably rules out IBD and contradicts the presence of other OGID in primary care patients. Positive FC test together with other predictors, such as diarrhea, rectal bleeding, short duration, or age >35 years, should encourage a prioritized investigation. Use of NSAID, PPI, and ASA may affect the diagnostic accuracy of FC for IBD and OGID.