2024-04-21 12:02:21
A British studysuggests that patients suspected of Suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) might self-refer to a scan centerfor diagnostic tests, thus avoiding months of waiting.
Currently, patients with suspected IBD must go through their GP before being referred to a specialist for diagnosis. This process can take months, which can worsen symptoms and increase the risk of complications requiring surgery.
One study found that by offering patients two fecal tests a few weeks apart, it was possible to accurately spot signs of IBD. Patients might then be referred directly to a colonoscopy, thereby speeding up the diagnostic process.
Dr Peter Rimmer, a gastroenterologist at the University of Birmingham and author of the study, envisions a future where patients might request these faecal tests directly from the NHS, without going through their GP. Perhaps this advance will also be adopted in France if it is a success in the United Kingdom.
Around 800,000 people in the UK have IBD, a disease that can be managed but not cured. Rapid access to diagnosis and treatment is crucial to improving patients’ quality of life.
The study, which focused on 767 patients, shows that two positive fecal test results can confidently predict an IBD diagnosis. This approach might allow patients to get a diagnosis in just a few weeks, providing faster relief.
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