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© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Objective: Intestinal ultrasound (IUS) is increasingly valued as a noninvasive tool for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management, offering real-time, radiation-free assessment of bowel wall thickness, vascularity, and complications. While IUS is widely adopted in Europe, data on its use in Turkey is scarce. This study aims to address this gap. Methods: A nationwide, cross-sectional survey was conducted targeting 817 adult and 150 pediatric gastroenterologists in Turkey. The survey included 26 structured questions on demographics, familiarity with and use of IUS, and barriers to implementation. Results: A total of 191 gastroenterologists participated in this survey, with 56% being adult gastroenterologists (n = 107) and 44% pediatric gastroenterologists (n = 84). Regarding whether they participated in IUS training, 73% (n = 140) of the 191 respondents stated they had not received training. There were notable differences in how IUS was utilized among gastroenterologists: 29% (n = 31) of adult gastroenterologists performed IUS independently, compared to just 2% (n = 2) of pediatric gastroenterologists (p < 0.001). In total, 63% (n = 67) of adult gastroenterologists and 46% (n = 39) of pediatric gastroenterologists reported not using IUS. Altogether, 94% (n = 179) emphasized the necessity of educational opportunities, and 86% (n = 165) favored national guidelines. Conclusions: Our findings reveal that the current application of IUS in Turkey fails to correspond with its expected advantages in managing IBD. Limited educational opportunities are a major challenge, emphasizing the necessity for coordinated educational programs and national guidelines. The expanded adoption of the IUS might significantly improve Turkey’s management of IBD. What is known: Intestinal ultrasound (IUS) is a non-invasive, cost-effective, and reliable imaging method increasingly recognized for its utility in diagnosing and monitoring inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). What is new: This is the first national survey assessing the awareness, usage patterns, and barriers to the adoption of IUS among gastroenterologists in Turkey. The study highlights significant gaps in training opportunities while also identifying strategies to promote IUS integration into routine clinical practice. The findings may encourage similar efforts in other regions where IUS remains underutilized, ultimately improving IBD management and patient outcomes globally.

Details

Title
Intestinal Ultrasound: Advancing Towards Broader Adoption—Insights from a National Survey in Turkey
Author
Bilican Gülden 1 ; Karakan Tarkan 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Eğritaş Gürkan Ödül 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Cindoruk Mehmet 1 ; Hedin, Charlotte 3   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Haider, Sabhan 3 ; Can Ayşe 2 ; Haas, Stephan L 3 

 Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara 06560, Turkey; [email protected] (T.K.); [email protected] (M.C.) 
 Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara 06560, Turkey; [email protected] (Ö.E.G.); [email protected] (A.C.) 
 Department of Medicine, Solna, Department of Gastroenterology, Dermatovenereology and Rheumatology, Karolinska Institute, Centre for Digestive Health, Karolinska University Hospital, 17164 Stockholm, Sweden; [email protected] (C.H.); [email protected] (H.S.); [email protected] (S.L.H.) 
First page
4817
Publication year
2025
Publication date
2025
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
20770383
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3233224879
Copyright
© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.