What are the sensitivity and specificity of anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) for Ulcerative Colitis (UC)?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: May 7, 2025 • View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

From the Guidelines

The sensitivity of anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies for ulcerative colitis (UC) is limited, and their routine use for diagnosis is not clinically justified. The current evidence suggests that perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCAs) are detected in up to 65% of patients with UC, whereas anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCAs) have a lower sensitivity 1.

Key Points

  • The sensitivity of ASCAs for UC is not explicitly stated in the provided evidence, but it is mentioned that their routine use for diagnosis is not justified due to limited sensitivity 1.
  • pANCAs are more sensitive for UC, detected in up to 65% of patients, compared to ASCAs 1.
  • Faecal calprotectin appears to be a more sensitive marker of intestinal inflammation in IBD, correlating well with endoscopic indices and useful in selecting patients for diagnostic investigation and assessing disease severity 1.

Clinical Implications

  • ASCAs should not be used alone for the diagnosis of UC due to their limited sensitivity.
  • A combination of serological markers, including pANCA, may improve diagnostic accuracy for UC.
  • Faecal calprotectin is a useful non-invasive marker for monitoring UC patients and assessing disease severity.

From the Research

Sensitivity and Specificity of Anti-Saccharomyces Antibodies for UC

  • The sensitivity and specificity of anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) for ulcerative colitis (UC) are not directly addressed in the provided studies, as they primarily focus on the diagnostic value of ASCA in distinguishing Crohn's disease (CD) from UC 2, 3, 4, 5.
  • However, the studies suggest that ASCA are more specific for CD than UC, with sensitivity and specificity values for CD ranging from 46% to 54.6% and 92.8% to 98.1%, respectively 2, 3, 4.
  • In contrast, perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCA) are more specific for UC, with sensitivity and specificity values ranging from 39.6% to 55.3% and 88.5% to 92.5%, respectively 3, 4.
  • The combined use of ASCA and pANCA may improve the diagnostic accuracy for UC, with one study reporting a correct diagnosis in 97% of UC patients 5.
  • It is essential to note that the sensitivity and specificity of ASCA for UC are not explicitly stated in the provided studies, and more research is needed to determine their diagnostic value for UC specifically.

References

1
Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

4
Research

Diagnostic role and clinical correlates of anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (p-ANCA) in Italian patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

Digestive and liver disease : official journal of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology and the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver, 2003

Related Questions

In a 23‑year‑old woman with a four‑month history of diarrhea with mucus, anemia, abdominal pain that improves after defecation, a normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and a family history of colorectal carcinoma in a relative diagnosed at age 60, what is the most likely diagnosis?
In a patient with suspected ulcerative colitis (UC) presenting with bloody diarrhea, which part of the bowel is most likely to be affected?
What is the likely diagnosis for a 25-year-old patient with abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and weight loss, a positive guaiac (fecal occult blood test) stool test, and a family history of similar complaints?
What's the next step for a 52-year-old male patient with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) whose symptoms have resolved after 4 weeks of treatment?
What is the most likely diagnosis in a 23‑year‑old woman with a four‑month history of watery diarrhea containing mucus, anemia, abdominal pain that improves after defecation, a normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and a father diagnosed with colon cancer at age 60?
What is the treatment for an avian bite, specifically a goose bite (avian bite wound)?
What is the comparison between ertapenem (Invanz) and meropenem (Merrem) for the treatment of pneumonia?
Can intestinal perforation be caused by corticosteroids (steroids)?
What is the normal thickness of the gallbladder wall?
Can Small Bowel Feeding Tube (SBFT) help correct ileus?
What are some simple research examples related to thrombocytopenia (thrombocyte disease)?

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.

Ask Question