Crohn’s and Colitis Often Diagnosed Too Late, Warns Leading Gastroenterologist

Jerusalem, 19 May, 2025 (TPS-IL) -- Sofia (BTA) – Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases are diagnosed late, said Prof. Plamen Penchev, head of the First Department of the Gastroenterology Clinic at the University Hospital for Active Treatment Tsaritsa Joanna in Sofia to to BTA.

Penchev, together with representatives of the Bulgarian Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Association, planted three Japanese cherries in the park in front of the National Palace of Culture. The initiative is in support of people living with inflammatory bowel diseases. Monday is World Inflammatory Bowel Disease Day.

Diagnosis is delayed because sufferers are active and quite busy people, anxious, have a higher pain threshold, adapt to their condition and do not seek medical help in time, said Penchev. According to him, the only alarming symptom is the appearance of bleeding – in 90% of cases, which occurs almost necessarily in ulcerative colitis. The appearance of bleeding is frightening for the patient and then he goes to the doctor.

Penchev drew attention to the fact that Crohn’s disease in particular is insidious in the beginning, with few and varied symptoms. According to him, the two inflammatory bowel diseases are due to both genetic predisposition and immune deficiency, stress, and diet.

The first signals are abdominal pain, diarrhea, developmental delay, he also said in response to a question about how parents can recognize the first signals of a possible inflammatory bowel disease. The Mediterranean diet – with fresh fruits and vegetables, with fish, has a protective effect, he also said.

There are nearly 2,300 patients in Bulgaria who are being treated with therapy paid for by the Health Insurance Fund, said Dimo ​​Gatev, chairman of the patients’ organization. According to him, those affected by inflammatory bowel diseases are several times more.