Accordingly, linear regression modeling showed no clear association between clinical disease activity and CCL20 levels in patients with Crohn’s disease [univariable: β (95% CI) = 0.242 (− 0.016, 0.500), p = 0.066; multivariable: β (95% CI) = 0.210 (− 0.051, 0.471), p = 0.11] or ulcerative colitis [univariable: β (95% CI) = 0.083 (− 0.167, 0.333), p = 0.51; Table 3]. Here, CCL20 is linked to ulcerative colitis.