The study is prospective with a longitudinal approach. About 200 patients will be followed every 3 to 12 months (at basal, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months alternating visits to telephone contacts) and subsequently for further 6 months in 3 different sites (competitive enrollment, 1site/country, Italy, France and Spain respectively). Fecal samples for immunoassays will be collected at follow up visits, stored frozen (-20°C) and sent to testing lab for their determination.~The following assessments are foreseen:~Clinical history and demography (screening), Proctosigmoidoscopy (basal), Hemochromo with WBC differential count, C-reactive protein (every 6 months from screening up to 12 months; relapse), Coagulation (screening) Specimen collection for fecal calprotectin determination (within 1-2 weeks from Informed Consent signature; for basal time point; every next 3 months from basal up to 12 months and at month 18; relapse), Coproculture for Salmonella, Shigella, E. Coli and Campylobacter (relapse), Pharmacological ongoing therapy, Mayo score (each time point; relapse)
This study will investigate the correlation of fecal calprotectin (FC) values to quiescent ulcerative colitis and to disease activity (relapse) as assessed by clinical data and endoscopy.