Are single measurements of pseudocholinesterase and albumin markers for inflammatory activity or nutritional status in Crohn's disease?

Serum pseudocholinesterase (PCHE) activity and serum albumin concentration have been used as markers for inflammatory activity as well as malnutrition in Crohn's disease (CD) with controversial results. Therefore we investigated the valence of both proteins as markers of inflammation and/or malnutrition in 50 patients with active CD [Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI): median = 243; interquartile range = 191-288] and 70 patients with quiescent CD (CDAI: 62; 25-96). Thirty patients were malnourished, 18 with active [body weight: 84%; 79-88% IBW (ideal body weight)] and 12 with quiescent CD (87.5%; 81.5-88% IBW), and 90 patients were well nourished, 32 with active (96%; 93-112% IBW) and 58 with quiescent CD (104.5%; 96-116% IBW). Median values of PCHE activity and albumin concentration were within the normal range in both groups, in patients with active as well as quiescent CD. PCHE activity was decreased only in 24 patients (48%) with active, but also in 11 (15.7%) patients with quiescent disease. Albumin concentration was decreased in 12 patients (24%) with active and in one patient (1.4%) with quiescent disease. Comparing the two patient groups PCHE activity and albumin concentration were significantly lower in active than in quiescent CD [PCHE: 3.70 kU/l; 3.00-4.30 kU/l vs. 4.80 kU/l; 3.75-5.82 kU/l, p < 0.001; Albumin: 38.0 g/l; 35.1-39.9 g/l vs. 43.8 g/l; 40.8-46.3 g/l, p < 0.001]. Both proteins were significantly lower in malnourished than in well nourished patients, except albumin in patients with quiescent CD. Repeated measurements of PCHE and albumin in patients during and after active phases showed significant increases of both proteins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)