{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Diagnostic delay in symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease: an Italian tertiary referral centre study.
{Author}: Santacroce G;Lenti MV;Abruzzese GM;Alunno G;Di Terlizzi F;Frenna C;Gentile A;Latorre MA;Petrucci C;Ruggeri D;Soriano S;Aronico N;Rossi CM;De Silvestri A;Corazza GR;Di Sabatino A;
{Journal}: Intern Emerg Med
{Volume}: 19
{Issue}: 1
{Year}: 2024 Jan 27
{Factor}: 5.472
{DOI}: 10.1007/s11739-023-03446-x
{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; F:M ratio = 1.6:1) 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.