Diagnostic delay in inflammatory bowel disease: Current situation and problems

Abstract

In this article, we comment on the article by Blüthner et al published recently. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, is a chronic relapsing and remitting condition primarily as a consequence of intestinal inflammation. It is important about adopting early and effective treatment to control clinical symptoms of IBD patients. Diagnostic delay can lead to adverse clinical outcomes and increase disease burden. Diagnostic delay is multifactorial. There are some factors related to diagnostic delay, such as patient factors and healthcare factors. We focus on the diagnostic tools for IBD, the outcomes and factors of diagnostic delay of IBD.

Keywords: Inflammatory bowel disease; Ulcerative colitis; Crohn’s disease; Diagnostic delay; Clinical outcome

Core Tip: Inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, is a chronic relapsing and remitting condition primarily as a consequence of intestinal inflammation. It is important about adopting early and effective treatment to control clinical symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease patients. Diagnostic delay can lead to adverse clinical outcomes and increase disease burden. Diagnostic delay is multifactorial. There are some factors related to diagnostic delay, such as patient factors and healthcare factors.