Evaluation of Serum Procalcitonin Levels and other Parameters in Iraqi Patients with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Background: The present study was designed to assess procalcitonin in the serum of patients that are related to the etiology and pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in two groups of Iraqi patients (Crohn’s disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC]). Materials and Methods: A total of 157 subjects have been chosen, with all cases having a full history and complete examinations including gender, age, weight, height, and smoking status. The serum of procalcitonin (PCT) patients and controls was tested to confirm the diagnosis and assess the autoimmunity status in IBD patients. They were referred to the Consultant Clinic at the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Hospital. Results: Eighty-five IBD patients were enrolled; the results indicated CD was more common than that of UC, revealed the proportion of females was higher than males in patients as well as showed disease frequency in patients aged 30–39 years. According to BMI calculations, results revealed the highest percentage of 41 (48.23%) to be normal weight (BMI between 18.5 and 24.9). The results of smoking did not show any association between habits of smoking. The PCT level indicated a significant increase ( P ≥ 0.05) in two disease groups that were (1229.15 ± 332.0 and 1172.38 ± 309.50) pg/mL for CD and UC, respectively, while the total number of patients of IBD showed a significant increase (1208.44 ± 323.28) pg/mL compared with the control (957.43 ± 234.75) pg/mL. Conclusion: PCT levels were higher in the serum of patients who had CD and UC than controls. PCT will potentially be a useful inflammatory biomarker that is able to distinguish between infectious and autoimmune processes in inflammatory bowel disease.