Epidemiologic disparities in colon cancer screening and adherence during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective cohort analysis.
Int J Colorectal Dis
; 37(4): 849-854, 2022 Apr.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1739312
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second-leading cause of death in the USA. CRC screening remains underutilized, especially in underinsured populations. Screening has been heavily disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic.PURPOSE:
The goal is to explore the impact of the pandemic on ethnic and gender disparities in CRC screening.METHODS:
Patients were identified 1 year before and after COVID-19 precautions began, using March 1, 2020, as the inflection point. The primary inclusion criterion was an ordered colonoscopy. The outcome of interest was a colonoscopy performed. Differences by year and race were assessed using chi-square analysis. A cohort of 1549 patients (899 in pre-COVID; 650 in post-COVID) between age 45 and 75 for whom a colonoscopy was ordered was selected from EHR at a large institution.RESULTS:
There was a 51% reduction in screening colonoscopies performed. White patients had a decrease of 49%, and African Americans had a 55% reduction. Stool testing increased from 47% prior to the pandemic to 94% during the pandemic representing a greater than 100% increase in stool testing uptake.CONCLUSION:
The true impact of COVID-19 on colorectal cancer is yet to be uncovered as future mortality estimates from CRC are ongoing. Due to the widespread closure of endoscopy centers and delay in screening, we believe that the pandemic worsened the screening disparities most prevalent among minority populations. Our study points to the drastic reduction of screening for all races, especially for African Americans.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Colorectal Neoplasms
/
Colonic Neoplasms
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Cohort study
/
Diagnostic study
/
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Topics:
Long Covid
Limits:
Aged
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
Language:
English
Journal:
Int J Colorectal Dis
Journal subject:
Gastroenterology
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
S00384-022-04118-6
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