Utilidad de una unidad de diagnóstico rápido durante la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 para el diagnóstico de cáncer / Utility of a quick diagnostic unit during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic for the diagnosis of cancer

Objetivos Analizar el impacto en la actividad asistencial, tiempo de los intervalos de derivación y diagnósticos y la incidencia de cáncer durante los 2primeros años de pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 en una Unidad de Diagnóstico Rápido. Material y métodos Estudio retrospectivo observacional realizado durante el año prepandémico (1 marzo del 2019-29 febrero del 2020) y los 2primeros años de pandemia (1 marzo del 2020-28 febrero del 2022). Se evaluaron y compararon variables demográficas, clínicas, el intervalo de la primera visita, el intervalo diagnóstico y el intervalo primera visita-diagnóstico. Resultados Durante la primera ola pandémica hubo una reducción de derivaciones (–32,6%), registrándose desde la segunda ola hasta el final del primer año y segundo año de pandemia un incremento del 8,1 y el 17,7%, respectivamente. Se identificó un incremento de derivaciones de Atención Primaria y disminución de urgencias. El aumento de diagnósticos de cáncer del 2,7 y el 15,7% en los 2años de pandemia fue proporcional al incremento de derivaciones. No se observaron cambios en procesos benignos ni en las localizaciones y estadificaciones del cáncer. El intervalo de la primera vista fue superior en enfermedades benignas (p<0,0001). Se objetivó una prolongación del intervalo diagnóstico en pacientes con cáncer, aunque durante los 3años del estudio la mediana fue <15 días. Conclusiones El impacto de la pandemia incidió en el tiempo de los intervalos y en las procedencias de las derivaciones. La unidad de diagnóstico rápido constituye una ruta diagnóstica de cáncer complementaria de carácter urgente con un alto rendimiento diagnóstico (AU)

Objectives To analyse changes in health care activity, time of referral and diagnosis intervals and the incidence of cancer during the first 2years of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in a quick diagnosis unit. Materials and methods A retrospective observational study was carried out during the prepandemic year (March 1, 2019 to February 29, 2020) and the first 2years of the pandemic (March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2022). Demographic and clinical variables, the first visit interval, the diagnosis interval and the first visit-diagnosis interval were evaluated and compared. Results During the first pandemic wave, there was a reduction in referrals (−32.6%), which then increased 8.1% and 17.7% from the second wave until the end of the first pandemic year and the second pandemic year, respectively. An increase in referrals to primary care and a decrease in emergencies were identified. The increase in cancer diagnoses of 2.7% and 15.7% in the 2years of the pandemic was proportional to the increase in referrals. No changes were observed in benign processes or in cancer locations and stages. The first visit interval was higher for benign diseases (p < 0.0001). A prolongation of the diagnosis interval was observed in cancer patients, although during the 3years of the study the median was <15 days. Conclusions The impact of the pandemic affected the length of intervals and the origins of referrals. The quick diagnosis units constitute and urgent complementary cancer diagnostic route with a high diagnosis yield (AU)

Utility of a quick diagnostic unit during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic for the diagnosis of cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse changes in health care activity, time of referral and diagnosis intervals and the incidence of cancer during the first two years of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in a quick diagnosis unit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was carried out during the prepandemic year (March 1, 2019, to February 29, 2020) and the first two years of the pandemic (March 1, 2020, to February 28, 2022). Demographic and clinical variables, the first visit interval, the diagnosis interval and the first visit-diagnosis interval were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: During the first pandemic wave, there was a reduction in referrals (-32.6%), which then increased 8.1% and 17.7% from the second wave until the end of the first pandemic year and the second pandemic year, respectively. An increase in referrals to primary care and a decrease in emergencies were identified. The increase in cancer diagnoses of 2.7% and 15.7% in the two years of the pandemic was proportional to the increase in referrals. No changes were observed in benign processes or in cancer locations and stages. The first visit interval was higher for benign diseases (p<0.0001). A prolongation of the diagnosis interval was observed in cancer patients, although during the three years of the study the median was <15 days. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of the pandemic affected the length of intervals and the origins of referrals. The quick diagnosis units constitutes and urgent complementary cancer diagnostic route with a high diagnosis yield.