Expert opinion
Professor David S. Sanders
Consultant Gastroenterologist and Professor, Royal Hallamshire Hospital and the University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
Professor David S. Sanders
Consultant Gastroenterologist and Professor, Royal Hallamshire Hospital and the University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
What is the overall benefit for clinicians of an early diagnosis of bile acid diarrhoea?
The benefit is quite significant, both for the physician and for the patient. For physicians, it provides the possibility to avoid numerous diagnostic tests. For example, when investigating patients with unselected irritable bowel syndrome-type symptoms the chances of successfully diagnosing a disease through colonoscopy are very low.
Nowadays, however, if the tauroselcholic (75selenium) acid (SEHCAT) test is performed first (obviously in conjunction with other accepted tests) I believe that bile acid diarrhoea also known as bile acid malabsorption, could be diagnosed in 1 in every 4 patients. For patients, this can drastically change their journey and experience.
Firstly, there will be no delay in the diagnosis, which in some cases can be up to 6 months, and secondly, colonoscopy can sometimes be avoided.
Job number: JB01823UK Date of Preparation: May 2022
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How common is bile acid diarrhoea (BAD)?
Professor David S. Sanders
Professor Sanders argues that many patients presenting with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have underlying diseases. He explores a series of studies that suggest approximately 25% of patients presenting with IBS symptoms have BAD as the underlying cause.
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