1.Results of using fecal calprotectin in the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease
Maral B ; Byambajav Ts ; ; Bira N ; ; Sugar B ; Zesemdorj O ; Khishgee D ; Gantuya B ; ; Tsevelnorov Kh ; ; Sainzaya B ; Munkh-Erdene Ts ; Saruuljavkhlan B ; ; Tuul B ; Pagamdulam L ; Sarantuya G ;
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2026;95(5):77-81
Background:
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic immune-related condition caused by interactions between genetics, immune dysfunction, gut microbiota changes, and environmental factors, often presenting as persistent or recurring diarrhea. Clinically, it commonly presents with chronic diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. The global prevalence of IBD is increasing, currently affecting approximately 0.5% of the population, with projections suggesting a rise to nearly 1% by 2030. Fecal calprotectin is a neutrophil-derived S100 calcium-binding protein that is elevated in intestinal mucosal inflammation and serves as a reliable noninvasive biomarker of inflammatory activity. Due to its high stability and close association with intestinal inflammatory activity, fecal calprotectin has been established as a dependable, non-invasive marker for identifying intestinal inflammation. In clinical practice, it is extensively used to distinguish IBD from functional gastrointestinal disorders, especially irritable bowel syndrome, among patients presenting with chronic diarrhea. However, its diagnostic utility in Mongolia remains underexplored, and this study aims to determine its sensitivity and specificity in inflammatory bowel disease and compare its diagnostic performance with other inflammatory markers.
Aim:
To determine the sensitivity and specificity of fecal calprotectin in inflammatory bowel disease and to compare it with other inflammatory markers.
Materials and Methods:
A total of 109 participants aged 18-87 years with chronic diarrhea, who attended the gastroenterology outpatient clinics of the Mongolia–Japan Hospital and Intermed Hospital between December 2024 and December 2025 and provided informed consent, were enrolled in this study. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, and laboratory investigations included complete blood count, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and measurement of fecal calprotectin levels from stool samples. Based on fecal calprotectin results, selected participants underwent colonoscopic examination as clinically indicated.
Results:
Among the 109 participants included in the study, 17.4% were diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with a mean age of 47.41±15.52 years. Fecal calprotectin levels were significantly higher in the IBD group compared to the control group (p<0.001). Fecal calprotectin demonstrated a weak positive correlation with C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocyte count (p=0.042, p=0.06), while no significant correlation was observed with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). At a cutoff value of 250 µg/g, fecal calprotectin showed a sensitivity of 94.4%, specificity of 69.2%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 37.8%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 98.4%. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis identified an optimal cutoff value of approximately 400 µg/g (AUC=0.919, Youden index=0.724), at which the sensitivity remained 94.4% and specificity increased to 78.0%. In contrast, CRP and ESR demonstrated comparatively lower diagnostic performance, with AUC values of 0.640 and 0.644, respectively.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that fecal calprotectin has superior diagnostic performance compared to conventional inflammatory markers in differentiating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). An optimal cutoff value of approximately 400 µg/g yielded the highest sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, fecal calprotectin may serve as a valuable tool in clinical practice for both screening and diagnostic confirmation.
2.Management and monitoring of hypokalemia occurring during certain diseases
Temuulen Ts ; Maral B ; Baasanjargal B ; Agidulam Z ; Burenbayar Ch ; Ankhbayar D ; Tsogdulam S ; Amardulguun S ; Otgon-Erdene M ; Anujin G ; Khongorzul U1 ; Delgermaa Sh ; Odgerel Ts
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2025;86(2):51-54
Background:
Hypokalemia is considered when the serum potassium level is less than 3.5 mmol/L. Clinical research indicates
that hypokalemia affects 20% of hospitalized patients, and in 24% of these cases, inadequate interventions result
in life-threatening complications. At present, there is no research available on the prevalence, management, and outcomes
of hypokalemia in hospitalized patients, which justifies the need for this study.
Aim:
The study aimed to examine the prevalence of hypokalemia and the effectiveness of its management in hospitalized
patients within the internal medicine department, in relation to the knowledge of doctors and resident physicians.
Materials and Methods:
This hospital-based retrospective study included a total of 553 cases of patients hospitalized in
the Internal Medicine Department of the Mongolia Japan Hospital between January 2024 and August 2024. Patients with
a potassium level of <3.5 mmol/L were diagnosed with hypokalemia, and the effectiveness of potassium replacement
therapy was evaluated according to the method of supplementation employed.
Results:
The prevalence of hypokalemia among hospitalized patients in the Internal Medicine Department was 9.8%
(54 cases). Based on the study criteria, 42 cases of hypokalemia were selected for further analysis, and a total of 118 potassium
replacements were performed through oral, intravenous, and mixed methods. Following potassium replacement
therapy, 37.3% (44) of patients achieved normalized potassium levels, while 62.7% (74) still had persistent hypokalemia.
Conclusion
According to the study results, the prevalence of hypokalemia among hospitalized patients in the Internal
Medicine Department is 9.8%. The method of potassium replacement and the severity of hypokalemia do not impact the
normalization of potassium levels, with the critical factor being the proper dosage of supplementation. The knowledge
of doctors and resident physicians regarding hypokalemia is insufficient, and there is a need to implement guidelines and
protocols for potassium replacement therapy in daily clinical practice.
3.ЭМНЭЛЗҮЙН УРЬДЧИЛАН ТООЦООЛОХ ДҮРМЭЭР НОЙР БУЛЧИРХАЙН ЦОЧМОГ ҮРЭВСЭЛТЭЙ ЭМЧЛҮҮЛЭГЧИЙН ТАВИЛАНГ ТОДОРХОЙЛОХ БОЛОМЖ
Dariimaa G ; Otgonjargal B ; Oyundari B ; Maral-Erdene D ; Tserennadmid Ts ; Davaadulam E
Innovation 2017;11(2):127-130
Нойр булчирхайн цочмог үрэвсэл, эмнэлзүйн урьдчилан тооцоолох дүрэм, Ranson –ийн шалгуур, APACHE II-ийн шалгуур
A clinical prediction rule is a type of medical research study in which researchers try to
identify the best combination of medical sign, symptoms, and other findings in predicting
the probability of a specific disease or outcome. More than 80% of all patients with
acute pancreatitis recover promptly without developing severe pancreatitis. The presence
of early organ failure (within 24 hours of admission), multiple-organ system failure,
and persistent or progressive (present beyond 48 hours after admission) organ failure are
associated with prolonged hospitalization, ICU admission, need for surgery, and death.
In high developed country, Ranson and APACHE II prognostic criteria are used in order
to evaluate patient´s situation and modified treatment tactics. That is give an idea us
to carry out retrospective study, by using patients´ documents, who hospitalized in National
central hospital in last year. As result, according to Ranson´s criteria 13 (31.7%) of
all patients had 0-2 score, which means mortality risk was 1.8%, 20 (48.8%) had 3-4 score
(mortality risk is 11%), 8 (19.5%) were estimated 5-6 score, having 33% of mortality risk.
Whereas, regarding to APACHE-II criteria 14 (34.2%) of total patients had score of 0-4,
showing 4% of mortality risk, 23 (56.1%) were scored 5-9, having 8% of risk, 3 (7.3%) were
scored 10-14, having 15% of risk, 1 (2.4%) had 15-19 score, having 24% of risk. Moreover,
we determined that incomplete laboratory test, meaning essential prognostic criteria
not used in Mongolia.
Result Analysis
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