Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) may be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. 

Dr Tore Grimstad and colleagues from Norway investigated if TWEAK may reflect disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease.

In this cohort study, 139 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed and previously untreated inflammatory bowel disease underwent colonoscopy.

Disease activity was assessed by the Mayo score and the Mayo endoscopic score (MES) for UC, or the Simple Endoscopic Score (SES) for CD. 

The team of doctors measured serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and fecal calprotectin in IBD patients, as were plasma TWEAK levels in patients and 85 healthy subjects. 

Associations between TWEAK levels and disease activity markers were explored.

In the total IBD group, the median TWEAK level was 430 pg/ml, in UC 502 pg/ml, and in CD patients 352 pg/ml, respectively. 

Healthy subjects had a median TWEAK of 307 pg/ml. 

The doctors found no significant differences in TWEAK levels between the total IBD group and healthy control subjects, nor between UC and CD, or between UC/CD and healthy subjects. 

Furthermore, the researchers found no significant associations between Mayo scores, MES-UC, SES-CD, CRP, and fecal calprotectin with plasma TWEAK levels.

Dr Grimstad's team concludes, "Plasma TWEAK levels do not reflect disease activity or the grade of inflammation in patients with newly diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease."