Inflammatory bowel diseases in Brazil: journey of doctors who care for patients. What is the importance?

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), represented by Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are conditions whose epidemiological rates are increasing worldwide. BACKGROUND: The study of IBDs and the treatment of patients with these conditions are a daily challenge for specialist doctors. BACKGROUND: Understanding the profile of the doctors who treat these patients and their difficulties during treatment is essential. BACKGROUND: Many adversities are related to health policies, such as access to medications and complementary tests, which compromises the adequate treatment of these patients. BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel diseases are chronic inflammatory conditions of a recurrent nature, whose incidence and prevalence rates have increased worldwide. It is known that early diagnosis and short start of the correct indicated treatment alter the natural history of the disease, preventing complications; hence, it is necessary to know the profile of the doctors who treat these patients in Brazil and especially to understand the difficulties in care and evaluate them in relation to other variables. BACKGROUND: This study showed the profile of physicians who treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, through their registration in the Brazilian Inflammatory Bowel Disease Study Group. In addition to analyzing the physician's profile and their difficulties, the main aspects that hinder both the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, attributed to external factors, were listed. Therefore, more effective public health policies should be planned and expanded, aiming at growth and adaptation focused on IBDs. BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic inflammatory conditions of a recurrent nature, whose incidence and prevalence rates have increased worldwide. AIMS: The aim of this study was to profile the doctors who treat patients with IBDs in Brazil and to understand and analyze the journey and importance of this care. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study that descriptively and inferentially analyzed the pre-existing database of the Brazilian Inflammatory Bowel Disease Study Group and through this observed the reality of care for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, in the country. RESULTS: In the descriptive analysis, we found results regarding the physicians' profile such as specialty, number of patients treated with these diseases and their difficulties in accessing medications, complementary exams, and multidisciplinary team. In the statistical analysis regarding the Human Development Index of the states, the significant results were related to workplace, difficulty in accessing medications, and referral to other specialists. Regarding the association of variables with medical demographics, the results were significant in relation to workplace, difficulty in accessing medications, and complementary exams. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed a profile of the doctors who treat patients with IBDs and who participated in this survey. In addition to analyzing and describing the doctor's profile and their difficulties, we listed the main aspects that hinder both diagnosis and treatment, attributed to external factors, regardless of their reality and competence.