Diagnostic Delay in Children With Coeliac Disease: A national multicentre study in Turkey

Objectives There is few studies conducted investigating diagnostic delay in children with celiac disease (CD). A better understanding of the factors associated with diagnostic delay and the development of strategies to reduce it are important in preventing long-term complications related to the disease. This study aimed to determine the average diagnostic delay in children with CD and to investigate possible underlying factors associated with diagnostic delay. Methods A prospective screening program was performed in children with CD at the seven clinical centers operating in Turkey within the Focus IN CD project between June 2021 and June 2023. Paediatric gastroenterologists were asked to complete a web-based questionnaire about CD. Results The median ages of the 188 celiac patients (66 male; 35%) were 8,33 (1,34 − 18,17) years. The median diagnostic delay was 7,3 months (0,03-133,9). Upon patient with CD were categorised according to OSLO criteria, The median delay for classic CD group, nonclassic CD group and silent CD group were found 14.31 (11.14–17.47), 11.98 (2.52–21.44) and 9.49 (3.48–15.49) month respectively. There were no significant differences between the patients with classic CD group and the nonclassic CD group and silent CD group (p = 1.000 and p = 0,939, respectively) Conclusions The study revealed that median diagnostic delay was 7,3 months. Furthermore there were no significant differences clinical subtypes of CD. In order to minimize the delay in diagnosis, it may be a solution to rise community-based awareness of CD and better informing pediatricians and family physicians about CD.