Waiting lists for diagnostic gastrointestinal endoscopy

[coeliac]

Recent reports in the national news media suggest that there is cause for concern about the length of
waiting lists for diagnostic gastrointestinal endoscopy in some hospitals (1)
The Coeliac Society of Ireland wishes to remind those concerned that current medical practice
guidelines stipulate that biopsies of the upper gut, before excluding gluten from the diet, are necessary
to make a definitive diagnosis of coeliac disease, although there is ongoing debate among experts about
the necessity of biopsies in some circumstances (2).
The consequences of delay in the diagnosis of coeliac disease can vary with the age and general health
of the individual as well as with the severity of the condition.
1. http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0524/health_children.html
2. Evans KE & Sanders DS. What is the use of biopsy and antibodies in coeliac disease diagnosis?
J Intern Med 2011; 269: 572–581.
NP Kennedy
27 May 2011

[Olddog Profile]

Thank you for the post Coeliac.

A Google of Evans & Sanders brought up lots & lots including :

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20458623

( Pancreatic insufficiency in adult celiac disease: do patients require long-term enzyme supplementation? )

Which may be some comfort to those of us with weird blood sugar levels and a tendency to hypoglycemia