Crohn's disease activity: assessment by factor VIII coagulation proteins.

Twenty-eight patients (mean age 13.5 years) with proven Crohn's disease were examined for factor VIII coagulation activity (VIII:C), factor VIII-related antigen (VIII R:Ag), and factor VIII-related ristocetin cofactor activity (VIII R:RCF). The factor VIII coagulation proteins were correlated with disease activity index according to van Hees and were compared with inflammatory parameters such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate, c-reactive protein, and orosomucoid. Among the factor VIII proteins, factor VIII-related protein (VIII R:Ag) correlates best with van Hees disease activity index, orosomucoid, c-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p less than 0.001 for all parameters). Since acute phase proteins are produced by liver cells, whereas VIII R:Ag is synthesized by endothelial cells, we postulate that this coagulation factor is highly sensitive in reflecting the inflammatory process in the intestine.