Diagnostic test strategies in children at increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease in primary care.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In children with symptoms suggestive of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who present in primary care, the optimal test strategy for identifying those who require specialist care is unclear. We evaluated the following three test strategies to determine which was optimal for referring children with suspected IBD to specialist care: 1) alarm symptoms alone, 2) alarm symptoms plus c-reactive protein, and 3) alarm symptoms plus fecal calprotectin.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted, including children with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms referred to pediatric gastroenterology. Outcome was defined as IBD confirmed by endoscopy, or IBD ruled out by either endoscopy or unremarkable clinical 12 month follow-up with no indication for endoscopy. Test strategy

SUBMITTER: Holtman GA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5718464 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature