Leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein is useful in predicting clinical relapse in patients with Crohn’s disease during biological remission
- Author:
Naohiro NAKAMURA
1
;
Yusuke HONZAWA
;
Yuka ITO
;
Yasuki SANO
;
Naoto YAGI
;
Sanshiro KOBAYASHI
;
Mamiko AOI
;
Takashi TOMIYAMA
;
Tomomitsu TAHARA
;
Norimasa FUKATA
;
Toshiro FUKUI
;
Makoto NAGANUMA
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Intestinal Research 2025;23(2):170-181
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background/Aims:Serum leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein (LRG) is a potential biomarker of Crohn’s disease (CD). This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of LRG in predicting clinical relapse in patients in remission with CD.
Methods:This retrospective observational study assessed the relationships among patient-reported outcome (PRO2), LRG, and other blood markers. The influence of LRG on clinical relapse was assessed in patients in remission with CD.
Results:Data of 94 patients tested for LRG between January 2021 and May 2023 were collected. LRG level did not correlate with PRO2 score (ρ = 0.06); however, it strongly correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) level (r=0.79) and serum albumin level (r=–0.70). Among 69 patients in clinical remission, relapse occurred in 22 patients (31.9%). In the context of predicting relapse, LRG showed the highest area under the curve, followed by CRP level, platelet count, and albumin level. Multivariate analysis revealed that only LRG (P= 0.02) was an independent factor for predicting clinical remission. The cumulative non-relapse rate was significantly higher in patients with LRG < 13.8 μg/mL than in patients in remission with LRG ≥ 13.8 μg/mL and normal CRP level (P= 0.002) or normal albumin level (P= 0.001). Cumulative non-relapse rate was also higher in patients with LRG < 13.8 μg/mL compared to those with LRG ≥ 13.8 μg/mL in patients with L3 or B2+B3 of Montreal calcification.
Conclusions:LRG is useful in predicting clinical relapse in patients with CD during biological remission. LRG is a useful biomarker for predicting prognosis, even in patients with intestinal stenosis, or previous/present fistulas.
