JHSM
Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine

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Original Article
Diagnostic delay and harm from malignancy misclassification in autoimmune pancreatitis and IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis: a real-world cohort study
Abstract
Aims: Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC) can mimic pancreatobiliary malignancies, leading to diagnostic delay and malignancy misclassification. We evaluated phenotype-specific diagnostic delay and associated clinical consequences in a real-world cohort. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study (2019-2024), 68 adults with type 1 AIP and/or IgG4-SC were classified as combined AIP with IgG4-SC, isolated AIP, or isolated IgG4-SC. Diagnostic evaluation included cross-sectional imaging, cholangiography, endoscopic ultrasonography, histopathology, and corticosteroid response. Diagnostic delay, malignancy misclassification, and three harm domains-major iatrogenic harm, healthcare utilization burden, and documented psychosocial harm-were assessed. Results: Among 68 patients, 45.6% had combined AIP with IgG4-SC, 41.2% had isolated AIP, and 13.2% had isolated IgG4-SC. Diagnostic delay was longest in isolated IgG4-SC (median 210 days) compared with combined disease (85 days) and isolated AIP (70 days) (p

Keywords : Autoimmune pancreatitis, IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis, diagnostic delay, malignancy misclassification, IgG4-related disease

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Article available in :
Volume 9, Issue 3, 2026
Page : 652-657
https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1874313
Article Information
Received : 29 Oca 2026
Accepted : 05 Nis 2026
Published : 19 May 2026
Corresponding Author :

Yavuz Özden: Department of Gastroenterology, Kayseri City Hospital, Kayseri, Turkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Özden Y, Buyukberber NM. Diagnostic delay and harm from malignancy misclassification in autoimmune pancreatitis and IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis: a real-world cohort study. J Health Sci Med. 2026;9(3):652-657. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1874313

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