The Danger of Diagnostic Overshadowing in Primary Care: A Case Report of Delayed Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Diagnostic overshadowing is common and well-documented in the medical field, often linked to mental health patients. There are dangers associated with this phenomenon [1], and our case report will highlight ways to avoid it, especially in primary health care settings. This case report sheds light on the phenomenon in common presentations to primary health care, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It will demonstrate how assumptions linking symptoms to stress can mislead clinicians and patients, resulting in a stress-related and IBS diagnosis. Ultimately, the correct diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was confirmed by colonoscopy and biopsy, with subsequent treatment leading to complete resolution of symptoms.