Abstract
BackgroundDiagnostic delay (DD) of Crohn’s disease (CD) presents a challenge that may increase the risk of disease complications. The study aims to describe the prevalence of diagnostic delay in adult CD patients and to describe possible predictors for DD.MethodsAll patients with confirmed CD followed up at the inflammatory bowel disease clinic were retrospectively identified and included. Baseline demographics and disease characteristics were extracted and compared. The effect of DD on outcomes and the analysis of possible predictors were performed using regression analysis.ResultsA total of 75 patients were included. The median diagnostic delay was 5 months (2–51 months). Forty-eight percent had complications from the disease at the time of the diagnosis. Eight (10%) patients had intestinal abscesses, 13 (17.33%) had fistulae, 14 (18.66%) had perforation and 1 (1.3%) had stricture. A significant association was observed between DD and the presence of complications at diagnosis (OR=74.8 (95% CI: 18.9–410.8, P<0.001). DD was positively associated with the following parameters: being Saudi (OR=3.84, 95% CI=1.17–16.6, P=0.04), a current or prior smoker (OR=4.88, 95% CI=1.11–34.23, P=0.05), and presence of peri-anal disease (OR=5.17, 95% CI:1.62–20.08, P=0.008), while inflammatory phenotype was negatively associated with DD (OR=0.21, 95% CI=0.06–0.64, P=0.008). IDDF2022-ABS-0062 Figure 1 shows the Kaplan-Meier curve for the association between the duration of DD and the risk of complications at the time of diagnosis.Abstract IDDF2022-ABS-0062 Figure 1ConclusionsDD of CD is significantly associated with disease complications. Risk factors for DD include Saudi citizenship, current or prior smoking status, and peri-anal disease, while inflammatory phenotype was associated with a shorter time to diagnosis. Preventive measures should be implemented to avoid DD of CD.