Conclusion
Our results suggest FCP would be a valuable tool to screen patients newly referred with chronic diarrhoea. A cut-off at 50 μg/g would identify all cases with IBD as their levels are higher, while a lower cut-off of 8 μg/g predicts normal colonoscopy and histology in all those with lower values, accounting for 42% of our referrals. If confirmed by larger prospective studies, then FCP screening could identify those in whom colonoscopy need not be done. This benefits patients by avoiding invasive procedures, and the hospital by substantial reduction in colonoscopies or by releasing these resources for other indications, yet with considerable savings.