Evaluation and comparison of capsule endoscopy scores for assessment of inflammatory activity of small-bowel in Crohn's disease

Abstract

IntroductionCapsule endoscopy (CE) has the highest sensitivity in the evaluation of small-bowel mucosa in Crohn's disease (CD). Recent guidelines recommend the use of validated CE scores to assess small-bowel inflammatory activity in CD. Lewis score (LS) and Capsule Endoscopy Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CECDAI) are the currently available validated scores, but comparative studies are scarce. Moreover, correlation of these endoscopic scores with biomarkers and clinical activity is lacking. This study aims to compare LS with CECDAI, to determine cutoff values for CECDAI similar to those of LS (135–790), and to correlate LS and CECDAI with biomarkers and symptoms. StudyAll patients with CD who underwent CE between March/2010 and February/2016 were included. LS and CECDAI were determined after analysis of each CE. In patients with small-bowel CD, C-reactive protein (CRP) and Harvey–Bradshaw index (HBI) were evaluated. Statistical analysis: descriptive statistics, Spearman's correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis. Significance: p<0.05. ResultsFifty-three patients were included and the mean values obtained for LS were 1147±1453, CECDAI 11.3±6.9, CRP 0.92±1.5mg/dL and HBI 2.4±2.8. There was a very strong correlation between LS and CECDAI (rs=0.878; p<0.0001) and thresholds values of 135–790 in LS corresponded to 7.7–10.3 cutoff values in CECDAI, respectively. Neither CRP correlated with LS (rs=0.068; p=0.72) or CECDAI (rs=−0.004; p=0.98), nor HBI with LS (rs=−0.15; p=0.40) or CECDAI (rs=−0.10; p=0.23). ConclusionCorrelation between the two CE activity scores was very strong, with LS thresholds of 135–790 corresponding to CECDAI values of 7.7–10.3. HBI and CRP had no correlation with CECDAI and LS.