Faecal calprotectin diagnostic tests for inflammatory diseases of the bowel

Faecal calprotectin testing is recommended as an option to support clinicians with the differential diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in adults with recent onset lower gastrointestinal symptoms for whom specialist assessment is being considered, if:

• cancer is not suspected, having considered the risk factors (for example, age) described in the NICE guideline on suspected cancer and

• appropriate quality assurance processes and locally agreed care pathways are in place for the testing.

Faecal calprotectin testing is recommended as an option to support clinicians with the differential diagnosis of IBD or non‑IBD (including IBS) in children with suspected IBD who have been referred for specialist assessment, if appropriate quality assurance processes and locally agreed care pathways are in place for the testing.