Faecal calprotectin (FC) testing to detect inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was recommended for use in UK general practice in 2013 to reduce referrals of individuals who do not have IBD. The recommendations were based on evidence from secondary care because evidence from general practice on test accuracy, test use, and the impact of testing on patient management was scarce. This study found that 20.7% of FC tests were in patients not considered eligible according to recommendations. In addition, only 3.1% of eligible patients have received FC testing since national recommendations were published, whereas nearly 50% of patients with a negative test result were referred. Current national recommendations may therefore lack applicability to the general practice context and need adjusting. |