Calprotectin as a non-invasive biomarker for Acute Noninfectious Granulomatous Anterior Uveitis in Egyptian Patients

Purpose: To study the relation between serum calprotectin level and acute noninfectious anterior uveitis in Egyptian patients. Methods An observational prospective study carried out at Menoufia University Hospital during the period from march 2021 till June 2022, after informed consent from all studied patients. This study included 20 eyes of patients with Acute Anterior Uveitis (AAU) and 20 eyes healthy individuals matched sex and age as the control group. Full history taking, ophthalmological examination and serum calprotectin levels were performed for both patients and controls. Results The majority of AAU patients' eyes (55%) had a moderate grade, followed by a faint grade (30%) and a pronounced grade (15%). Serum calprotectin levels were substantially higher in patients with acute anterior uveitis than in healthy eyes (61.45 ± 7.89 vs. 32.50 ± 11.64; 95% CI: 22.58–35.32; P < 0.001). In comparison to negative previous uveitis and mild to moderate anterior uveitis, serum calprotectin levels were substantially higher with positive previous uveitis (64.75 ± 4.65) and notable grade (67.00 ± 2.65). The serum calprotectin cutoff point for diagnosing AAU was 58.0, with sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 43%. Serum calprotectin had a cutoff value in the prognosis of AAU of 63.0, with a sensitivity of 91.7% and a specificity of 37.5%. Conclusion Serum calprotectin levels was significantly higher with positive previous uveitis and marked grade indicating a possible role of calprotectin in the pathogenesis of noninfectious AAU. Finally, we discovered serum calprotectin as a possible biomarker for predicting patients' mortality risk and the likelihood of developing anterior uveitis, whose prompt monitoring may enhance the prognosis of anterior uveitis.