[CEA blood level in patients with Crohn's disease with reference to localization, duration and severity of the disease].

CEA-serum-levels were determined in 24 patients with Crohn's disease over a period up to 35 months. 13 patients showed elevated CEA-Levels (greater than 3 ng/ml). A positive correlation between the extent of the lesion and the CEA-serum-level could be demonstrated. This correlation could not be demonstrated in regard to the duration of the disease. The attempt to utilize CEA-serum-levels for the estimation of the activity of Crohn's disease showed a good correlation between the activity and CEA-levels in a few cases; the activity was measured by means of the Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI), which was recommended in the National Crohn's Disease Study in the United States.