Patients are enrolled in the Competence Centre where a Patient Information Sheet containing a patient-specific QR code gets automatically generated. Give this to the patient once they have been inducted into the SmarTest Calprotectin test programme, and they can simply connect their SmarTest Calprotectin app to the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) team’s Competence Centre by scanning the QR code using their app. Once connected to the Competence Centre, all faecal calprotectin test results and disease activity questionnaire responses will be synchronised automatically with the Competence Centre, collated, and monitored. The SmarTest bowel inflammation test is simple to use for the patient and the medical monitoring team. Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan creates images of the digestive tract. It tells your healthcare provider how severe the intestinal inflammation is.

If your doctor suspects that you have Crohn’s disease, they will likely use one of the following imaging tests to create images of your small intestine: MRI The SmarTest app scans and analyses the faecal calprotectin test result according to the intensity of the control and test lines on the lateral flow test. The quantitative results of the test are then sent automatically to the Online Portal for the patient’s IBD clinical team to monitor remotely. The SmarTest Calprotectin Home test app also features a clinically validated disease activity questionnaire for Monitoring IBD at home (MIAH), providing a subjective approach to evaluating disease activity in conjunction with the bowel inflammation test. Many people with irritable bowel syndrome have unnecessary invasive hospital investigations before their condition is diagnosed. Using faecal calprotectin testing will mean most people with irritable bowel syndrome will be diagnosed without the need for these investiga During a sigmoidoscopy, the specialist may take some small samples, called biopsies, and remove small polyps.

What is Crohn’s Disease?

The SeHCAT scan involves two separate appointments. At your first appointment, you will be asked to swallow a small capsule containing a small amount of radioactive bile salts. After around an hour, a scan will be taken using a machine that can measure radioactivity. After seven days, a second scan will be done to measure the amount of radioactive bile salt still left in your body, showing whether you have problems absorbing bile salts. The endoscopist will look for inflammation in certain areas of your gut. Areas of inflammation will look red, swollen or may have open sores (ulcers).

This type of endoscopy goes through your mouth, and is used to examine the upper part of the digestive system – the oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum (first part of the small intestine). You may have this procedure if you’re experiencing symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Germany-based Bühlmann Laboratories has launched IBDoc, described as “the first in-vitro diagnostic test to measure the fecal inflammation marker calprotectin at home.” X-rays and scans allow the radiologist to see images of the inside of your body. They can use these images to work out where areas of inflammation (swollen and red tissue) are in your gut, which can help diagnose either Crohn’s, Colitis or another condition.As well as your current symptoms, let your GP know what‘s normal for you, so they can see how much things have changed The FIT test can also be used to find small amounts of blood in your poo, as an alternative to a faecal calprotectin test. Faecal Calprotectin is not generally used to diagnose children, because the test may be less effective in people under 18. Your GP may also not use the Faecal Calprotectin test if you're an older adult (generally over 60 years old, but in some areas over 40). This is because they may want to rule out more serious conditions like bowel cancer first. If you are worried about needles or seeing blood, let the doctor or nurse know. They can make sure you are as comfortable as possible and answer any questions you have. The MRI scan can be noisy and make tapping sounds. You may be given earplugs or headphones to wear. The radiographer is controlling the MRI scanner from another room, but they can still see and hear you to make sure everything is going okay. If you are scared of enclosed spaces (have claustrophobia), let the radiographer know that you are worried before the test. They can offer support and help you feel more comfortable.

Treatment for Crohn’s disease varies depending on what’s causing your symptoms and how severe they are for you. In children, the goal in treatment is to induce remission (the time between symptom flare-ups), maintain remission and manage any complications of Crohn’s disease over time.This is inflammation of your blood vessels. There are many forms of vasculitis. But many of them aren’t common. Some can cause symptoms, such as mouth sores, that are similar to Crohn’s. Those types include: International travel: An emerging area of study shows a small percentage of people may have a flare-up while taking a trip that includes international air travel. These conditions can cause very similar symptoms to irritable bowel syndrome. But, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can also cause symptoms serious enough for major surgery to be needed, so it’s important to distinguish between them and irritable bowel syndrome. For some specialised tests, you may be asked not to eat (fast) overnight or a few hours before the sample is taken. Your doctor or nurse will let you know if this is needed. Your doctor may ask for these tests to be repeated over time. Why are these tests done? Take your time – there’s a lot to get your head around. Go through this list at your own pace and select the things you think would work for you.

SmarTest was developed with convenience in mind so that patients can carry out a calprotectin test in a private setting without the hassles of delivering or mailing a stool sample to their doctor’s surgery, clinic or laboratory. To conduct a biopsy, your doctor will collect a small sample of digestive tissue for testing. In many cases, they’ll collect the sample while performing a colonoscopy. Then they’ll send it to a lab for analysis. The laboratory technicians will look for signs of inflammation or other problems with your tissues. The guidelines recommend biomarkers be used alongside imaging studies and colonoscopies, and at different intervals depending on the patient. White blood cells - numbers of white blood cells can be higher when there is inflammation or infection in the body or lowered by medicines such as azathioprine.People of any age can develop an inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, particularly between the ages of 15 and 40. So, it is important that if you suspect you have bowel issues, take a test for Crohn’s disease and other IBDs. Symptoms include pain, cramps and swelling in the tummy, recurring or bloody diarrhoea, weight loss and extreme tiredness. This isn’t caused by inflammation. With IBS, your bowels look normal on imaging tests like CT scans and in biopsies. It differs from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), of which Crohn’s is one type. IBS is sometimes called a sensitive gut. Symptoms include feeling gassy, changes to your poop like diarrhea and constipation, and belly pain or bloating that may get better after a bowel movement. Your poop could also be slimy from mucus. Your symptoms may also come and go. Celiac Disease A sigmoidoscopy is similar to a colonoscopy, but the specialist will look at part of your large bowel (rectum and beginning of the colon). Usually, a flexible endoscope is used, which is bendy and helps the specialist see further up the bowel. Preparing for a sigmoidoscopy