IBD Diagnosis Delay and Its Predictors in Jordan: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Aim: Delayed diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may lead to increased treatment costs and surgical risks. This study aims to describe the extent of IBD diagnosis delay in Jordan. Methods: Our study included 110 IBD patients, utilizing interviews and medical records from Jordan University Hospital. Data covered sociodemographic characteristics, health history, time from symptom onset to diagnosis, time from the first consultation to diagnosis, number of physicians consulted before diagnosis, and IBD-related surgical history. Results: The median time from symptom onset to IBD diagnosis was 9 months. Median diagnosis times for Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) were 11 and 9 months, respectively. Regression analysis revealed that longer diagnosis delays were associated with higher paternal education levels. Lower maternal education levels (high school or less) and a household income between 1200 and 2000 Jordanian dinars correlated with consulting more physicians before diagnosis. Conclusions: Early aggressive treatment is essential for IBD, as delayed diagnosis negatively impacts patient outcomes. Further research is needed to identify factors contributing to diagnosis delay. Our findings suggest that parental education and income levels influence diagnosis delays, highlighting the importance of targeted awareness campaigns for specific population groups and general practitioners to mitigate delays.