The Role of Physicians’ Factors in Underdiagnosis of Celiac Disease in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

Background Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten and related prolamines, which can cause a variety of symptoms complications if left untreated. Despite being common lifelong disorder, it often goes undiagnosed for long time, leading to negative impacts on patients' health quality life. The diagnosis celiac requires the presence celiac-specific autoantibodies distinctive histological changes in small intestinal mucosa. Lack knowledge among healthcare professionals adherence gluten-free diets may contribute diagnostic delays. Objectives This study aims assess reasons underdiagnosis identify functional deficiencies treatment disease, particularly Saudi population. Materials methods A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based was conducted physicians Eastern Province Arabia during year 2023, between May July. Participants were asked complete online self-administered questionnaire that included questions about their demographic characteristics, professional experience, attitudes toward disease. recruited gastroenterologists, gastroenterology fellows, internal family medicine specialists, residents, general practitioners working private or public centers various cities Province. Results data collected from 180 who fulfilled inclusion criteria study, with most participants aged under 30 years predominantly male. Family represented specialties. While 49.4% knew adult rare, only 19.4% frequently recommended serology patients. In terms risk, moderately severe disabling but 24.4% thought cancer risk patients moderate. About 75.6% had overall poor level regarding gastroenterologists specialists demonstrating better compared other specialties (P = 0.001). Conclusion found majority lack could have implications patient care, as lead delays diagnosis, inadequate treatment, increased complications.