A Shortened Diagnostic Interval and Its Associated Clinical Factors and Related Outcomes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients from a Cohort Study in China
Zhou R, Sun X, Guo M, Zhang H, Chen X, Wu M, Liang H, Bai X, et al. (10 authors)
Journal of inflammation research · 2024-01
Abstract
Aim The diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) worldwide is complicated and results in diagnostic delay. However, the diagnostic interval of IBD and the factors associated with diagnostic delay in patients in China have not been determined. Methods We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of hospitalized IBD patients in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 1998 to January 2018. Patients were divided into non-delayed and delayed groups according to their diagnostic interval. Results A total of 516 and 848 patients were confirmed to have Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), respectively. The median diagnostic intervals were 6 and 20 months in patients with UC and CD, respectively ( P Conclusion The diagnostic interval for IBD has decreased over the years. Some clinical manifestations, such as initial symptoms and age at symptom onset, may help to shorten this interval. Diseases such as tuberculosis and infectious enteritis should be considered during differentiation.