Relationship Between Increased Fecal Calprotectin Levels and Interstitial Lung Disease in Systemic Sclerosis

Objective. To evaluate the relationship between fecal calprotectin (FC) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods. The study enrolled 129 outpatients with SSc. Data about disease characteristics, in particular lung involvement, were collected and FC was measured. Results. Patients with ILD (35, 27.1%) had higher values of FC (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, these variables were associated with increased risk of ILD: diffuse disease subset, higher modified Rodnan skin score, longer disease duration, higher severity scores, steroid treatment, and higher FC levels, while diverticulosis was protective. Conclusion. ILD is independently associated with increased FC levels in SSc