Method for the differentiation between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis by detecting volatile organic compounds in exhaled air.

摘要

The present invention relates to the identification of markers for distinguishing between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. The uses of such markers in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory Bowel Disease and a novel method for their identification are herein described. We were able to discriminate between patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis by determining whether the exhaled air contained markers selected from that set. We also found that these markers can be used in the early diagnosis of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Moreover, these markers may be useful in the prediction of the occurrence of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis even when no other clinical signs are apparent yet.