Testing for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic disorders that affect about a million people in the United States. Characterized by swollen and damaged tissues in the lining of the intestinal tract, these conditions vary in severity from patient to patient and change over time. Periods of active disease may alternate with periods of remission. During a flare-up, a patient may experience frequent bouts of watery and/or bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and fever. Between these flare-ups, symptoms frequently diminish. Many patients may go through extended periods of remission before another flare-up occurs.

The cause of IBD is not known, but these diseases are thought to be due to an autoimmune process that has been triggered by a genetic predisposition, a viral illness, and/or an environmental factor. IBD affects both sexes equally and is seen most frequently in Caucasians who live in industrialized countries. The most common inflammatory bowel diseases are Crohn disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Both may affect anyone at any age.

Laboratory Tests that may be ordered to rule out other causes of diarrhea and inflammation include:

1. Stool culture to look for bacterial infection
2. O&P (Ova and parasite) to detect parasites
3. Clostridium difficile to detect toxin created by bacterial infection; may be seen following antibiotic therapy
4. Fecal occult blood to look for blood in the stool
5. Stool WBC to detect white blood cells in the stool
6. IBD test ASCA (Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies), IgG and IgA. ASCA IgG is found in 80% of CD patients and in about 20% of those with UC. ASCA IgA is found in 35% of CD patients but in less than 1% of those with UC.
7. Celiac Disease tests

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation stated “the more informed you are about IBD, the more equipped you'll be to participate as an active member of your treatment.”

To purchase an Inflammatory Bowel Disease Profile test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/450/ or visit our website at www.labsafe.com

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.