Case Control Study
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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 21, 2014; 20(31): 10916-10920
Published online Aug 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i31.10916
Serum beta 2-microglobulin as a biomarker in inflammatory bowel disease
Bülent Yılmaz, Seyfettin Köklü, Osman Yüksel, Serap Arslan
Bülent Yılmaz, Seyfettin Köklü, Osman Yüksel, Serap Arslan, Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Sihhiye, 06100 Ankara, Turkey
Author contributions: Yılmaz B designed the study, collected the data, and drafted the manuscript; Köklü S and Yüksel O collected and analyzed the data; Arslan S designed the study and reviewed the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Bülent Yılmaz, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Sihhiye, Beytepe Mah., 06100 Ankara, Turkey. bulent.yilmaz@hacettepe.edu.tr
Telephone: +90-505-2993076 Fax: +90-312-3052302
Received: December 26, 2013
Revised: April 2, 2014
Accepted: May 23, 2014
Published online: August 21, 2014
Processing time: 237 Days and 18.5 Hours
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the diagnostic utility of beta 2 microglobulin (B2-M) levels and analyze this correlation with the activity of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

METHODS: Overall, 78 IBD patients and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. We examined B2-M serum levels in 43 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, 35 with Crohn’s disease (CD) and 30 control subjects, using an enzymatic method. Patients were divided into two groups according to two disease types: active and in remission. Subjects were also divided into two subgroups according to extent of the disease: left-side and pancolitis for UC and ileitis and ileocolitis for CD. All groups were compared for mean serum B2-M levels and also examined to see whether there was a correlation between serum B2-M levels and other inflammatory markers.

RESULTS: The mean serum B2-M levels in the control group, UC and CD were 1.71, 2.41 and 2.24 respectively. B2-M values ≥ 1.96 mg/L had a 62% sensitivity, 76% specificity, a 79% positive predictive value, and a 58% negative predictive value for UC patients. B2-M values ≥ 1.70 mg/L had 80% sensitivity, 53% specificity, 66% positive predictive value, and 69% negative predictive value for CD patients. Mean B2-M values were significantly higher in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease patients than in healthy controls (UC 2.41 ± 0.87 vs 1.71 ± 0.44, P = 0.002; CD 2.24 ± 1.01 vs 1.71 ± 0.44, P = 0.033). Also, mean B2-M values were significantly higher in active disease when compared to patients in remission (UC 2.66 ± 0.92 vs 1.88 ± 0.41, P = 0.004; CD 2.50 ± 1.15 vs 1.73 ± 0.31, P = 0.033). The difference between groups (UC and CD) in terms of serum B2-M levels was statistically insignificant (2.41 ± 0.87 vs 2.24 ± 1.01, P > 0.05 respectively).

CONCLUSION: Serum B2-M levels may be used as an activity parameter in IBD.

Keywords: Beta 2 microglobulin; Ulcerative colitis; Crohn disease; Inflammatory bowel disease

Core tip: Endoscopy has been the gold standard for diagnosing and following patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, it is still an expensive and invasive method. Beta 2 microglobulin levels of intestinal inflammation represent an easy, non-invasive, cheap and objective diagnostic biomarker for active IBD.