EURECA (EUropeanRElapseCAlprotectin) Study

This study will investigate the correlation of fecal calprotectin (FC) values to quiescent ulcerative colitis and to disease activity (relapse) as assessed by clinical data and endoscopy.

The study is prospective with a longitudinal approach. About 200 patients will be followed every 3 to 12 months (at basal, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months alternating visits to telephone contacts) and subsequently for further 6 months in 3 different sites (competitive enrollment, 1site/country, Italy, France and Spain respectively). Fecal samples for immunoassays will be collected at follow up visits, stored frozen (-20°C) and sent to testing lab for their determination. The following assessments are foreseen: Clinical history and demography (screening), Proctosigmoidoscopy (basal), Hemochromo with WBC differential count, C-reactive protein (every 6 months from screening up to 12 months; relapse), Coagulation (screening) Specimen collection for fecal calprotectin determination (within 1-2 weeks from Informed Consent signature; for basal time point; every next 3 months from basal up to 12 months and at month 18; relapse), Coproculture for Salmonella, Shigella, E. Coli and Campylobacter (relapse), Pharmacological ongoing therapy, Mayo score (each time point; relapse)