Open the door to freedom from chronic diarrhoea with SeHCAT

Chronic diarrhoea is one of the top reasons for referral to a gastrointestinal clinic. It is estimated that chronic diarrhoea affects 4-5% of the western population¹

The causes are multiple in adults and the underlying cause is often difficult to ascertain. As a result, the patients may undergo several investigations without a definitive cause being identified.²

Bile Acid Diarrhoea is common and is often diagnosed as IBS-D

Bile Acid Diarrhoea (BAD), is common and likely under-diagnosed. It is the diarrhoea caused by excess bile acids reaching the colon and historically had been referred to as bile acid malabsorption.⁴
For many patients the diagnosis can take more than 5 years with significant impact not only on their physical and mental health but also on well-being.³
It is estimated that 1/3 of patients with a diagnosis of functional diarrhoea or IBS-D may have a component of bile acid diarrhoea.^4,8 On this basis, half a million patients in the NHS treated for IBS-D, could have BAD, for which potential diagnosis and effective treatment is available.¹

SeHCAT is an accurate method for diagnosing BAD

SeHCAT is a simple, accurate and non-invasive diagnostic tool for BAD that can support clinicians' decision.⁵
It is absorbed and excreted at the same rate as cholic acid but is resistant to metabolism.⁶
SeHCAT is a diagnostic gold standard for BAD because of its sensitivity, specificity, safety profile and low cost.⁷
Early diagnosis with SeHCAT can also prevent other investigations with a lower likelihood of diagnosis and greater associated costs and complications.⁴

Early diagnosis of BAD is predicted to increase quality of life for patients

Early diagnosis of BAD is predicted to lead to decreased morbidity, increased quality of life and fewer referrals to gastroenterologists.³
Accurate diagnosis of BAD with SeHCAT, allows physicians to embark on treatment with BAS more confidently, and to titrate the dose to achieve the optimum clinical response.⁵

References:

NICE diagnostics guidance [DG7] 2012.
Riemsma R., et al. 61, 2013, Health Technology Assessment, Vol. 17
Bannaga A, et al. BMJ Open Gastroenterol 2016;3:e000116
Mottacki N et al. Alliment Pharmacol Ther 2016; 43 (8): 884-98.
Smith MJ et al. J R Coll Physicians Lond 2000; 34 (5): 448-51
SeHCAT SmPC 2016; GE Healthcare
Mena Bares LM et al. Rev Esp Med Nucl Imagen Mol 2016.
Mena Bares LM et al. Rev Esp Med Nucl Imagen Mol 2016.
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