Diagnostic delay in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in Austria.

Background: Delayed diagnosis seems to be common in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The study was carried out to investigate the diagnostic delay and associated risk factors in Austrian IBD patients.

Methods: In a multicenter cross-sectional study adult patients with IBD attending 18 Austrian outpatient clinics completed a multi-item questionnaire that recorded medical and socioeconomic characteristics. The study outcome was diagnostic delay defined as the period from symptom onset to diagnosis of IBD.

Results: A total of 1286 patients (Crohn's disease 830, ulcerative colitis 435, inflammatory bowel disease unclassified 21; females 651) with a median age of 40 years (interquartile range 31-52 years) and a median disease duration of 10 years (4-18 years) were analyzed. The median diagnostic delay was 6 months (2-23 months) in Crohn's disease and 3 months (1-10 months) in ulcerative colitis (p < 0.001). In the multivariable regression analysis Crohn's disease, greater age at diagnosis and a high educational level (compared to middle degree level) were independently associated with longer diagnostic delay.

Conclusion: The diagnostic delay was longer in Crohn's disease than in ulcerative colitis patients and was associated with greater age at diagnosis and a higher educational level.