Diagnostic value of a guaiac occult blood test and faecal alpha 1-antitrypsin. Issue 1 (January 1995)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moran, A; Husband, D; Jones, A F; Asquith, P
• Is Part Of: Gut. Volume 36:Issue 1(1995)
• Page Start: 87
• Page End: 89
• Publication Date: 1995-01
• Subjects: Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; 616.33
• DOI: 10.1136/gut.36.1.87
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0017-5749

Abstract

Abstract : This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of a faecal occult blood test and faecal alpha 1-antitrypsin in the investigation of patients with gastrointestinal symptoms or iron deficiency anaemia. One hundred and seventy nine patients with either iron deficiency anaemia (n = 67), changed bowel habit and aged > 39 years (n = 107), or a history suggestive of melaena (n = 5) provided faecal samples. After investigation, 32 patients had a diagnosis of possible gastrointestinal bleeding and 139 patients had no evidence of gastrointestinal bleeding. Eight patients had a cause of enteric protein loss in the absence of gastrointestinal bleeding and were excluded from subsequent analysis. The faecal alpha 1-antitrypsin test was diagnostically more accurate than the guaiac test in identifying probable gastrointestinal bleeding (82% and 72% respectively, p < 0.05). This faecal alpha 1-antitrypsin test was also more specific (83% and 72% respectively, p < 0.05), but was not significantly more sensitive (78% and 72% respectively). The sensitivity of these tests was insufficient to recommend their use for most patients in this study.