New DNA Test Helps Avoid Frequent Colonoscopies for Intestinal Inflammation
Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Shaare Zedek Medical Center have developed a new method for monitoring inflammatory bowel diseases. The specialists created a test that evaluates a patient’s condition based on the analysis of human DNA fragments present in stool samples.
Traditionally, doctors prescribe a colonoscopy to diagnose and monitor inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract. This is an informative but invasive and unpleasant procedure that requires complex bowel preparation and is often performed under sedation or anesthesia. For patients with chronic diseases, the need to undergo such an examination regularly becomes a serious physical and psychological burden.
The new test offers a much gentler approach to diagnosis. By studying epithelial cells that naturally shed from the intestinal walls into the stool, medical professionals can determine the presence and severity of inflammation. This method provides doctors with the necessary data on the course of the disease, allowing them to adjust treatment in a timely manner.
This development by Israeli scientists can significantly reduce the need for endoscopic interventions. Introducing such tests into routine medical practice will make regular monitoring of intestinal health simpler, safer, and more comfortable for patients who require constant medical supervision.
