Diagnostic delay in symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease: an Italian tertiary referral centre study.
Intern Emerg Med
; 19(1): 99-106, 2024 Jan.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37891452
ABSTRACT
The magnitude of the diagnostic delay of symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) is unknown; we aimed to evaluate SUDD diagnostic delay and its risk factors. SUDD patients diagnosed at a tertiary referral centre were retrospectively enrolled (2010-2022). Demographic and clinical data were retrieved. Overall, patient-, and physician-dependant diagnostic delays were assessed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were fitted to identify risk factors for diagnostic delay. Overall, 70 SUDD patients (median age 65 years, IQR 52-74; FM ratio = 1.61) were assessed. The median overall diagnostic delay was 7 months (IQR 2-24), patient-dependant delay was 3 months (IQR 0-15), and physician-dependant delay was 1 month (IQR 0-6). Further, 25% of patients were misdiagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). At multivariate analysis, previous misdiagnosis was a significant risk factor for overall and physician-dependant diagnostic delay (OR 9.99, p = 0.01, and OR 6.46, p = 0.02, respectively). Also, a high educational level (> 13 years) was associated with a greater overall diagnostic delay (OR 8.74 p = 0.02), while previous abdominal surgery was significantly associated to reduced physician-dependant diagnostic delay (OR 0.19 p = 0.04). To conclude, SUDD may be diagnosed late, IBS being the most frequent misdiagnosis. Timely diagnosis is crucial to tackle the burden of SUDD on patients and healthcare.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
/
Diverticular Diseases
Limits:
Aged
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Intern Emerg Med
Journal subject:
MEDICINA DE EMERGENCIA
/
MEDICINA INTERNA
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: