This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/6623237.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Long wait for coeliac diagnosis | Long wait for coeliac diagnosis |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| People with coeliac disease are waiting an average of 13 years to be diagnosed, a poll has revealed. | People with coeliac disease are waiting an average of 13 years to be diagnosed, a poll has revealed. |
| The gut disorder is caused by gluten intolerance, and can lead to bone problems, infertility or bowel cancer. | The gut disorder is caused by gluten intolerance, and can lead to bone problems, infertility or bowel cancer. |
| The charity Coeliac UK says some of the 800 patients surveyed reported seeing their GP almost 30 times before being diagnosed. | |
| But it says the condition can be easily detected by GPs using a quick and simple blood test. | But it says the condition can be easily detected by GPs using a quick and simple blood test. |
| There is no reason why people should not be diagnosed more quickly Sarah Sleet, Coeliac UK chief executive | There is no reason why people should not be diagnosed more quickly Sarah Sleet, Coeliac UK chief executive |
| People with coeliac disease can experience a range of symptoms, including as bloating, diarrhoea, chronic fatigue, breathlessness, depression and weight gain. | People with coeliac disease can experience a range of symptoms, including as bloating, diarrhoea, chronic fatigue, breathlessness, depression and weight gain. |
| Children with the condition can have behavioural, learning or concentration problems. | Children with the condition can have behavioural, learning or concentration problems. |
| The only treatment for the condition is a life-long gluten-free diet. | The only treatment for the condition is a life-long gluten-free diet. |
| Under-diagnosed | Under-diagnosed |
| The poll was part of research carried out for Coeliac UK by the University of Oxford. | The poll was part of research carried out for Coeliac UK by the University of Oxford. |
| It also found patients often have to insist on being given the blood test, which is the first step to diagnosis. | It also found patients often have to insist on being given the blood test, which is the first step to diagnosis. |
| In addition, 29% of those polled said that prior to diagnosis, they experienced extreme pain, falling to 5% after diagnosis. | In addition, 29% of those polled said that prior to diagnosis, they experienced extreme pain, falling to 5% after diagnosis. |
| Anxiety levels fell from 13% to 3%. | Anxiety levels fell from 13% to 3%. |
| More needs to be done and can be done Professor Mayur Lakhani, Royal College of GPs | More needs to be done and can be done Professor Mayur Lakhani, Royal College of GPs |
| Norma Mc Gough, head of diet at Coeliac UK, said the delays in diagnosis were a combination of patients not recognising, or getting used to, their symptoms - or that doctors were not considering coeliac disease as an explanation for what could be a vague range of symptoms. | Norma Mc Gough, head of diet at Coeliac UK, said the delays in diagnosis were a combination of patients not recognising, or getting used to, their symptoms - or that doctors were not considering coeliac disease as an explanation for what could be a vague range of symptoms. |
| Coeliac UK chief executive Sarah Sleet said: "Coeliac disease is considered to be the most under-diagnosed common chronic condition in the UK today. | Coeliac UK chief executive Sarah Sleet said: "Coeliac disease is considered to be the most under-diagnosed common chronic condition in the UK today. |
| "One in 100 are believed to be at risk from the condition, but the latest research suggests only one in eight, or 12.5%, of these have been diagnosed. | "One in 100 are believed to be at risk from the condition, but the latest research suggests only one in eight, or 12.5%, of these have been diagnosed. |
| 'Debilitating pain' | 'Debilitating pain' |
| "And yet, it is easy to diagnose with inexpensive blood tests available to quickly identify cases in primary care. | "And yet, it is easy to diagnose with inexpensive blood tests available to quickly identify cases in primary care. |
| "There is no reason why people should not be diagnosed more quickly, and avoid years of debilitating pain and ill-health." | "There is no reason why people should not be diagnosed more quickly, and avoid years of debilitating pain and ill-health." |
| Professor Mayur Lakhani, head of the Royal College of GPs said: "I am sorry to hear of the experience of some patients in this report who have had a late diagnosis. | Professor Mayur Lakhani, head of the Royal College of GPs said: "I am sorry to hear of the experience of some patients in this report who have had a late diagnosis. |
| "Awareness of coeliac disease is increasing but doctors do find it a difficult condition to consider for diagnosis as its symptoms are also mimicked by many other common disorders. | "Awareness of coeliac disease is increasing but doctors do find it a difficult condition to consider for diagnosis as its symptoms are also mimicked by many other common disorders. |
| "However, more needs to be done and can be done. I would urge all doctors to be more vigilant about this condition and to request the simple blood test which can clinch an early diagnosis." | "However, more needs to be done and can be done. I would urge all doctors to be more vigilant about this condition and to request the simple blood test which can clinch an early diagnosis." |