Biological measurements of Crohn's disease activity--a reassessment.

Fifty-eight patients with Crohn's disease were studied in order to compare disease activity as measured by a clinical scoring system, with nutritional status, the laboratory measurements reflecting nutritional status, and the serum levels of acute phase proteins, using principal component analysis and stepwise multiple regression analysis. We confirmed that orosomucoid is the laboratory measurement which correlates best with clinical assessment of disease activity, followed by ESR and C-reactive protein. Serum albumin correlated poorly with clinical disease activity, although body weight showed an inverse correlation. Serum fibronectin, a protein involved in the production of fibrous tissue, did not detect the presence of fibrous strictures in the intestine.