ABSTRACT
The use of the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) to stratify the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in symptomatic patients in primary healthcare enables improved referrals to colonoscopy. However, its effect on diagnostic delays or the prognosis of patients has been poorly evaluated in this setting. We performed a retrospective cohort study that included symptomatic patients with outpatient CRC diagnosis between 2009 and 2017. We identified whether FIT had been analysed between initial healthcare contact and diagnostic confirmation. We included 589 patients (male = 65%, 71.7 ± 11.6 years, TNM IV = 17.1%) in the analysis. FIT was performed in 411 (69.8%) patients with a positive result (≥10 µg/g of faeces) in 96.4% of the evaluated patients. The use of FIT was associated with increased diagnostic delay (yes = 159 ± 277 days, no = 111 ± 172 days; p = 0.01). At five years follow up, 193 (32.8%) patients died (151 due to CRC). Mean survival was not modified by the use of FIT or its result (not performed = 46.8 ± 1.5 months, FIT+ = 48.9 ± 1 months, FIT- = 45.6 ± 5.5 months; p = 0.5) in Kaplan-Meier analysis, and was confirmed later in multivariate Cox regression analysis. In conclusion, FIT determination in symptomatic patients in primary healthcare did not modify CRC prognosis.
ABSTRACT
Objetivo: Analizar el efecto de la demora atribuible al sistema sanitario en una cohorte consecutiva de pacientes diagnosticados de forma ambulatoria de cáncer colorrectal (CCR) en el área sanitaria de Ourense. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio observacional de cohortes retrospectivo en el que se incluyeron los pacientes diagnosticados entre 2009 y 2017. Se definió la demora atribuible al sistema sanitario como el tiempo entre la primera consulta por síntomas y la confirmación diagnóstica. Se determinó si existía una relación independiente entre la demora diagnóstica y el CCR estadio IV mediante una regresión logística. Finalmente, realizamos una regresión de riesgos proporcionales para determinar qué variables se asociaban con la mortalidad global y por CCR. Resultados: Se incluyeron 575 pacientes (hombres 64,5%, edad 71,9±11,5 años) con una demora atribuible al sistema sanitario de 115±153 días. Ninguna de las variables analizadas se asoció con el estadio tumoral al diagnóstico. Durante un seguimiento de 30,6±21 meses fallecieron 121 pacientes (79,3% en relación al CCR). Las variables asociadas de forma independiente con la mortalidad atribuible al CCR fueron el estadio IV al diagnóstico (HR 50,65; IC 95% 12,28-209), la edad (HR 1,04; IC 95% 1,02-1,05) y la solicitud de la colonoscopia desde Atención Primaria (HR 0,55; IC 95% 0,37-0,88). Conclusiones: La demora diagnóstica atribuible al sistema sanitario no se relacionó ni con el estadio ni con el pronóstico del CCR. Sin embargo, la solicitud de la colonoscopia desde Atención Primaria se asoció a una reducción en el riesgo de mortalidad
Objectives: To analyse the effect of a delay attributable to the healthcare system on a consecutive cohort of outpatients diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the healthcare area of Ourense (Spain). Patients and methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study that included patients diagnosed between 2009 and 2017. Delay attributable to the healthcare system was defined as the time between the first consultation with symptoms and the diagnostic confirmation. A logistic regression model was performed to evaluate the relationship between stage IV CRC and diagnostic delay. To analyse which variables were associated independently with overall mortality and mortality due to CRC we used a Cox regression model. Results: 575 patients were included (men 64.5%, age 71.9 ± 11.5 years), with a delay attributable to the healthcare system of 115 ± 153 days. None of the variables analysed were associated with tumour stage at diagnosis. With a mean follow-up of 30.6 ± 21 months, 121 patients died (79.3% due to CRC). The variables independently associated with CRC-related mortality were metastatic CRC (HR 50.65, 95% CI 12.28-209), age (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.05) and colonoscopy requested from the Primary Healthcare level (HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.36-0.88). Conclusions: Diagnostic delay attributable to the healthcare system is not related to the prognosis or stage of CRC. However, a direct referral to colonoscopy from the Primary Healthcare level reduces the risk of mortality in our patients
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Aged , Colorectal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Colorectal Neoplasms/mortality , Delayed Diagnosis/adverse effects , Health Care Sector , Age Factors , Colonoscopy/statistics & numerical data , Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology , Follow-Up Studies , Logistic Models , Prognosis , Retrospective Studies , Time FactorsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To analyse the effect of a delay attributable to the healthcare system on a consecutive cohort of outpatients diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the healthcare area of Ourense (Spain). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study that included patients diagnosed between 2009 and 2017. Delay attributable to the healthcare system was defined as the time between the first consultation with symptoms and the diagnostic confirmation. A logistic regression model was performed to evaluate the relationship between stage IV CRC and diagnostic delay. To analyse which variables were associated independently with overall mortality and mortality due to CRC we used a Cox regression model. RESULTS: 575 patients were included (men 64.5%, age 71.9 ± 11.5 years), with a delay attributable to the healthcare system of 115 ± 153 days. None of the variables analysed were associated with tumour stage at diagnosis. With a mean follow-up of 30.6 ± 21 months, 121 patients died (79.3% due to CRC). The variables independently associated with CRC-related mortality were metastatic CRC (HR 50.65, 95% CI 12.28-209), age (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.05) and colonoscopy requested from the Primary Healthcare level (HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.36-0.88). CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic delay attributable to the healthcare system is not related to the prognosis or stage of CRC. However, a direct referral to colonoscopy from the Primary Healthcare level reduces the risk of mortality in our patients.
