| Aims: Endoscopic classification using Linked Color Imaging (LCI) is useful for predicting relapse in ulcerative colitis (UC). However, invasive nature of colonoscopy often makes it unacceptable. In this study, we investigated the correlation between noninvasive serum biomarker LRG (leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein) levels and endoscopic assessment of mucosal healing by LCI. Material and Methods: Seventy patients with UC attending our hospital who were measured for LRG and who underwent colonoscopy with LCI within 12 months before and after the measurement and whose clinical activity had never changed during that period were enrolled in the study. The correlation between LRG values and endoscopic activity assessed according to the Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES) and previously published LCI classification (LCI-A, LCI-B, LCI-C) and histological activity assessed by the Geboes score was examined. Results: In cases with LRG less than 16 μg/ml, MES 0 was found in 62.7% (32/51) and LCI-A in 52.9% (27/51). For LCI-A, AUC of LRG was 0.779 with a cutoff value of 10.5 μg/ml. On the other hand, for MES 0, AUC was 0.76 with a cutoff value of 12.3 μg/ml, and for histological inactive, AUC was 0.711 with a cutoff value of 11.4 μg/ml. Conclusion: For monitoring by LRG for mucosal healing, such as LCI-A, a cutoff value of 10.5 μg/ml is recommended. |
