Dr Shakti R Paul, a physician at Bangkok Hospital, Thailand, has issued a compelling call to action regarding the growing number of patients suffering from undiagnosed illnesses鈥攁 condition where individuals experience persistent symptoms without receiving a clear or correct diagnosis despite multiple medical consultations.
In a recently published article, Dr Paul outlines the common presentations of UDI, including fever of unknown origin, chronic pain, unexplained weight loss, and a range of distressing symptoms such as chest tightness and palpitations, said a press release on Saturday.
These patients often endure prolonged suffering, financial strain, and emotional distress due to ineffective treatments and misdiagnoses.
Dr Paul emphasised that the root causes of UDI included limited access to advanced diagnostic technology, lack of dedicated doctors, weak integrated care and insufficient collaboration among specialists.
He advocates for multidisciplinary hospital environments, second opinions, and physician referrals when standard approaches fail.
A striking case involved a 16-year-old boy from Dhaka misdiagnosed with leukaemia or blood cancer. Through rigorous re-evaluation and cross-hospital collaboration, Dr Paul identified 鈥榢alajwar鈥欌�攁 rare parasitic infection鈥攁nd successfully treated the patient, demonstrating the power of persistence and comprehensive care.
Through his practice in Bangkok hospital Dr Paul documented over 250 UDI cases and published some of them.
He believes that more than 90 per cent cases can be resolved by thorough investigation and coordinated medical efforts.
He urges patients and healthcare providers alike. 鈥楴ever give up hope. With the right environment and timely follow-up, undiagnosed cases can become diagnosed鈥攁nd treatable.鈥�
