Evaluation of serum procalcitonin, serum iron and red cell distribution width (RDW) as novel biological markers in inflammatory bowel diseases.

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) are idiopathic inflammatory bowel diseases, it is believed that the pathogenesis of IBD includes immune deregulation secondary to environmental factors in genetically susceptible individuals. This results in a mounted immune response to the normally existing intestinal flora or epithelial antigens. Clinical, endoscopic, histological, and radiological investigations are typically necessary to make an accurate diagnosis and assessment of disease activity (Bruining & Loftus 2006).