title: Delay in diagnosis of adult coeliac disease.
abstract: The delay in diagnosis of 106 patients with adult coeliac disease, diagnosed between 1976 and 1980, was studied. Overall, delay in diagnosis was 11 +/- 10.6 years, being considerably greater in females (12.8 +/- 7.8 years) than in males (3.5 +/- 9.8 years). Most of this delay occurred prior to hospital referral, although that following referral to hospital clinics was still significant (1.8 +/- 4.8 years). The most common presenting complaints were lassitude (75%) anaemia (65%) and flatulence (50%). Typical gastro-intestinal symptoms were relatively uncommon and mild, but when present led to a more speedy diagnosis. It is concluded that, despite advances in modern diagnostic procedures, little progress has been made in hastening the diagnosis of coeliac disease.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors