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Variation in inflammatory bowel disease care among saudi pediatric gastroenterologists
1Gastroenterology Unit, Pediatric Department, King Khalid University Hospital; Prince Abdullah Bin Khalid Celiac Disease Research Chair, College of Medicine, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care varies significantly among Saudi specialists. Differences in diagnostic tests and treatments like biological therapy were observed, potentially impacting patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Management
- Healthcare Quality
Background:
- International guidelines for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management exist.
- Variations in IBD care delivery persist globally and regionally.
- Saudi pediatric gastroenterologists' practices were assessed for care variations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the extent of variation in IBD care among Saudi pediatric gastroenterologists.
- To identify specific areas of diagnostic and therapeutic divergence in pediatric IBD management.
- To understand potential implications of care variations on patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Saudi pediatric gastroenterologists.
- The survey period was from August to December 2015.
- Questionnaires covered demographics and the utilization of diagnostic/therapeutic interventions in IBD care.
Main Results:
- A high response rate (82%) was achieved from 37 pediatric gastroenterologists across 20 centers.
- Considerable variation was found in the initial diagnostic evaluation of pediatric IBD.
- Significant differences in the use of calprotectin assays, MRI enterography, bone densitometry, and biological therapy were noted between care settings.
Conclusions:
- Significant variations exist in diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for pediatric IBD patients in Saudi Arabia.
- These practice variations may lead to disparities in patient outcomes.
- Adherence to evidence-based guidelines is recommended to reduce variations and improve IBD care quality.
Background/Aim:
Although international guidelines in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management are currently available, variations in IBD care still exist. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of the variation in IBD care among Saudi pediatric gastroenterologists.
Materials And Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among all pediatric gastroenterologists who were members of the Saudi Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (SASPGHAN) from August 2015 to December 2015. The questionnaire included items on demographic characteristics and utilization of different diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in IBD care.
Results:
Of the 45 registered pediatric gastroenterologists surveyed, 37 (82%) returned the survey from 20 centers across the country; 75.7% were practicing in tertiary care centers. There was a considerable variation in the use of different diagnostic tests during the initial evaluation of the disease. Utilization of calprotectin assays, magnetic resonance imaging enterography, and bone densitometry seemed to vary the most between physicians practicing at tertiary and secondary care centers. There were statistically significant differences in the prescription of biological therapy between the two groups.
Conclusions:
We found a considerable variation in the use of different diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in the management of pediatric IBD patients. Such variations could lead to unintended differences in patient outcomes. Implementation of the available evidence-based guidelines may limit such variations and ultimately could improve the quality of IBD care provided.
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