AI Breakthrough Could Revolutionize Coeliac Disease Diagnosis
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed an AI-powered tool that could significantly speed up the diagnosis of coeliac disease, a condition affecting nearly 700,000 people in the UK.
The disease, triggered by gluten consumption, causes symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhoea, fatigue, and weight loss. Currently, diagnosis involves blood tests followed by a biopsy of the small intestine, a process that can take weeks or even months due to NHS backlogs.
The newly developed AI algorithm, tested on over 4,000 biopsy images from multiple hospitals, has been found to be as accurate as human pathologists while delivering results almost instantly.
According to Dr. Florian Jaeckle, one of the study’s authors, pathologists typically spend five to ten minutes analyzing a biopsy, whereas the AI system can provide a diagnosis in under a minute. “With AI, patients wouldn’t have to wait weeks for results it eliminates waiting lists,” he said.
Professor Elizabeth Soilleux, a senior researcher on the project, highlighted AI’s potential to ease pressure on healthcare services while ensuring faster diagnoses. The study was funded by Coeliac UK, Innovate UK, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
While experts welcome the breakthrough, they stress that further work is needed before AI can be fully integrated into NHS pathology services. Dr. Bernie Croal, president of the Royal College of Pathologists, emphasized the need for investment in digital pathology and AI training for healthcare professionals.
With the NHS facing growing demand and staffing shortages, AI-driven pathology could mark a turning point in diagnosing coeliac disease and other conditions, ensuring quicker treatment and better patient outcomes.
No Comment to " AI Breakthrough Could Revolutionize Coeliac Disease Diagnosis "