Increased serum beta-2-microglobulin level in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Beta-2-microglobulin (B2m) serum levels were measured by newly developed electroimmunoassay in a group of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Increased serum B2m concentrations were found in 66.7% out of 93 subjects with Crohn's disease and in 56.0% out of 25 subjects with idiopathic proctocolitis. According to the author's view, serum B2m can be regarded as a useful adjunct to other immunological markers in diagnostic evaluation and monitoring of Crohn's disease. The high B2m level may reflect elevated biosynthesis and release from immunologically activated lymphocytes in areas of inflammation.