Breakthrough in early diagnosis of Crohn's disease

Every year, thousands of Dutch people are diagnosed with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, often only after years of symptoms and misdiagnoses. Today, physician-researcher Liesbeth Munster will receive her PhD from the University of Amsterdam for research that aims to change this practice. Her findings hold promise for faster diagnoses, fewer unnecessary surgeries, and an improved quality of life, particularly for young patients.

Munster's doctoral research, Strategies for early diagnosis of perianal Crohn's disease, shows that young people with perianal symptoms such as fistulas often go undiagnosed for an unnecessarily long time. “It is unacceptable that patients suffer from serious symptoms for years, even though the signs of Crohn's disease are recognizable,” says Munster. Her study identifies four clear ‘red flags’ that may indicate perianal Crohn's disease: age under 40, abdominal pain, weight loss, and previous surgery in the anal area. In combination with a simple calprotectin stool test, these signs can pave the way for faster recognition.

The screening model developed by Munster not only offers hope for tens of thousands of patients but also savings for the healthcare system. Early intervention can prevent complications and reduce the need for invasive surgery or expensive treatment programs.

GUTS

To reinforce her mission, Munster teamed up with other doctors and patients to found the GUTS Foundation. This new movement is committed to improving the recognition and treatment of IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. “If your intestines don't work, your whole life comes to a standstill,” says Munster. “With GUTS, we are making the subject visible, discussable, and urgent.”

The foundation not only wants to raise awareness, but also to stimulate funding for scientific research. Munster is calling on policymakers and healthcare professionals to include the screening model in the guidelines for general practitioners and proctologists. “The knowledge is there – now we have to dare to act,” says Munster. “Rapid diagnosis saves lives and saves costs.”

With her research and the establishment of GUTS, Munster is giving a powerful boost to the fight for better care for chronic intestinal diseases. This is a step forward for science and for the thousands of patients who hope for a future without years of uncertainty.