Serum syndecan-1 levels and its relationship to disease activity in patients with ulcerative colitis disease

Abstract Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that primarily affects the colon and rectum. It is characterized by recurrent episodes of inflammation and ulceration in the lining of the colon. UC is considered one of the two major types of IBD, with the other being Crohn's disease. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Serum Syndecan-1 levels and disease activity in patients with UC. Patients and Methods: This observational cross-sectional study included 84 participants; those were divided into three groups: Group A (Active Diseased Group), which includes 28 individuals currently experiencing active ulcerative colitis (UC); Group B (Remission Group), consisting of 28 individuals who have UC but are currently in remission; and Group C (Normal Population Control Group), which comprises 28 healthy individuals. This study aims to compare the clinical and biochemical parameters among these groups to better understand the differences between active disease, remission, and healthy controls. Results: We did clinical assessments, laboratory tests and colonoscopy for all participants, then we collected data and analyzed it using SPSS version 23. Colonoscopy findings further supported these observations, with significant differences in the extent and severity of inflammation among the groups. The Active Diseased Group exhibited moderate to severe inflammation across various colon segments, particularly in the sigmoid, anus, and rectum. In contrast, the Remission Group displayed minimal or no inflammation, and the Control Group showed no signs of inflammation. The strong positive correlations between Serum Syndecan-1 levels and colonoscopy findings, especially in regions often affected by ulcerative colitis, underscore the marker’s reliability in assessing mucosal inflammation and overall disease severity. These results suggest Serum Syndecan-1’s utility in evaluating disease activity and guiding treatment strategies for ulcerative colitis patients Conclusions: The findings from this study underscore the significant role of Serum Syndecan-1 as a potential biomarker for assessing disease activity and severity in patients with ulcerative colitis. Elevated Serum Syndecan-1 levels were strongly correlated with increased inflammation, as evidenced by both clinical symptoms and objective measures such as fecal calprotectin, ESR, and CRP. Additionally, the strong positive correlations between Serum Syndecan-1 levels and colonoscopy findings across various segments of the colon highlight its potential utility in reflecting the extent and severity of mucosal inflammation. These correlations suggest that Serum Syndecan-1 could serve as a reliable non-invasive marker for monitoring disease progression and treatment response in ulcerative colitis patients.