Clinical importance of FXIII level in inflammatory bowel disease

Background/aims: FXIII, the function of which is to preserve hemostasis and repair connective tissue. Both congenital and acquired deficiency of FXIII have been described. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between FXIII levels detected during the active and remission stage of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and the extent of involvement. Methods: Serum FXIII levels of 51 patients with ulcerative colitis (28 in active stage and 23 in remission) and 46 patients with Crohn's disease (23 in active and 23 in remission stage) were compared with those of 19 healthy controls. Results: FXIII levels were found to be significantly lower in patients with active ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease compared to those of patients in remission and controls. FXIII levels in those with active ulcerative colitis were significantly lower, on average 85.14, while they were 124.65 in those in remission (p<0.001) and healthy individuals (p<0.001). FXIII levels were also significantly lower in patients with active Crohn's disease (74.82) compared to those in remission (125.8) (p<0.001) and controls (p<0.001). Conclusions: Measurement of FXIII levels is of importance in estimating disease activity and prognosis in inflammatory bowel disease.