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Heterogeneous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on lung, colorectal and breast cancer incidence in Hungary: results from time series and panel data models.
Elek, Peter; Csanádi, Marcell; Fadgyas-Freyler, Petra; Gervai, Nóra; Oross-Bécsi, Rita; Szécsényi-Nagy, Balázs; Tatár, Manna; Váradi, Balázs; Zemplényi, Antal.
  • Elek P; Institute of Economics, Centre for Economic and Regional Studies, Budapest, Hungary elek.peter@krtk.hu.
  • Csanádi M; Institute of Economics, Corvinus University of Budapest, Budapest, Hungary.
  • Fadgyas-Freyler P; Syreon Research Institute, Budapest, Hungary.
  • Gervai N; Department of Health Economics, Corvinus University of Budapest, Budapest, Hungary.
  • Oross-Bécsi R; independent scholar, Budapest, Hungary.
  • Szécsényi-Nagy B; Mediconcept, Budapest, Hungary.
  • Tatár M; Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
  • Váradi B; Community Health Centre, Gyál, Hungary.
  • Zemplényi A; Centre for Health Technology Assessment, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
BMJ Open ; 12(8): e061941, 2022 08 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1993026
ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, health system resources were reallocated to provide care for patients with COVID-19, limiting access for others. Patients themselves also constrained their visits to healthcare providers. In this study, we analysed the heterogeneous effects of the pandemic on the new diagnoses of lung, colorectal and breast cancer in Hungary.

DESIGN:

Time series and panel models of quarterly administrative data, disaggregated by gender, age group and district of residence.

PARTICIPANTS:

Data for the whole population of Hungary between the first quarter of 2017 and the second quarter of 2021. MAIN OUTCOME

MEASURES:

Number of patients newly diagnosed with lung, colorectal and breast cancer, defined as those who were hospitalised with the appropriate primary International Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision diagnosis code but had not had hospital encounters with such a code within the previous 5 years.

RESULTS:

The incidence of lung, colorectal and breast cancer decreased by 14.4% (95% CI 10.8% to 17.8%), 19.9% (95% CI 12.2% to 26.9%) and 15.5% (95% CI 2.5% to 27.0%), respectively, during the examined period of the pandemic, with different time patterns across cancer types. The incidence decreased more among people at least 65 years old than among the younger (p<0.05 for lung cancer and p<0.1 for colorectal cancer). At the district level, both the previously negative income gap in lung cancer incidence and the previously positive income gap in breast cancer incidence significantly narrowed during the pandemic (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

The decline in new cancer diagnoses, caused by a combination of supply-side and demand-side factors, suggests that some cancer cases have remained hidden. It calls for action by policy makers to engage individuals with high risk of cancer more in accessing healthcare services, to diagnose the disease early and to prepare for effective management of patient pathways from diagnosis to survival or end-of-life care.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Breast Neoplasms / Colorectal Neoplasms / COVID-19 / Lung Neoplasms Type of study: Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Aged / Female / Humans Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: BMJ Open Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Bmjopen-2022-061941

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Breast Neoplasms / Colorectal Neoplasms / COVID-19 / Lung Neoplasms Type of study: Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Aged / Female / Humans Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: BMJ Open Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Bmjopen-2022-061941