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Drosdowsky A, Lamb KE, Karahalios A, Bergin RJ, Milley K, Boyd L, IJzerman MJ, Emery JD. The effect of time before diagnosis and treatment on colorectal cancer outcomes: systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. Br J Cancer 2023; 129:993-1006. [PMID: 37528204 PMCID: PMC10491798 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02377-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate existing evidence on the relationship between diagnostic and treatment intervals and outcomes for colorectal cancer. METHODS Four databases were searched for English language articles assessing the role of time before initial treatment in colorectal cancer on any outcome, including stage and survival. Two reviewers independently screened articles for inclusion and data were synthesised narratively. A dose-response meta-analysis was performed to examine the association between treatment interval and survival. RESULTS One hundred and thirty papers were included in the systematic review, eight were included in the meta-analysis. Forty-five different intervals were considered in the time from first symptom to treatment. The most common finding was of no association between the length of intervals on any outcome. The dose-response meta-analysis showed a U-shaped association between the treatment interval and overall survival with the nadir at 45 days. CONCLUSION The review found inconsistent, but mostly a lack of, association between interval length and colorectal cancer outcomes, but study design and quality were heterogeneous. Meta-analysis suggests survival becomes increasingly poorer for those commencing treatment more than 45 days after diagnosis. REGISTRATION This review was registered, and the protocol is available, in PROSPERO, the international database of systematic reviews, with the registration ID CRD42021255864.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Drosdowsky
- Department of General Practice and Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Karen E Lamb
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Amalia Karahalios
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Rebecca J Bergin
- Department of General Practice and Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Cancer Epidemiology Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kristi Milley
- Department of General Practice and Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group (PC4), Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | - Lucy Boyd
- Department of General Practice and Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Maarten J IJzerman
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Jon D Emery
- Department of General Practice and Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group (PC4), Carlton, VIC, Australia
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Gitlin M, McGarvey N, Shivaprakash N, Cong Z. Time duration and health care resource use during cancer diagnoses in the United States: A large claims database analysis. J Manag Care Spec Pharm 2023; 29:659-670. [PMID: 37276034 PMCID: PMC10388018 DOI: 10.18553/jmcp.2023.29.6.659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cancer diagnostic pathways are highly variable and not clearly established in the United States, which can lead to a diagnosis process that takes more time and exposes patients to invasive or unnecessary procedures, delays in treatment, worsening patient outcomes, and elevated health care resource utilization (HRU) and health care system costs. OBJECTIVE: To investigate current trends in time to diagnosis and diagnostic-related HRU preceding the patient's cancer diagnosis across all cancer types in the United States. METHODS: A retrospective claims analysis was conducted on patients newly diagnosed with cancer identified from 2018-2019 using Optum's de-identified Clinformatics Data Mart database, which includes Medicare Advantage and commercially insured members. Patients were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes and were required to have at least 2 outpatient visits at least 30 days apart or at least 1 inpatient cancer visit without prior cancer claims. The first diagnostic test was identified based on an algorithm of a 60-day gap between diagnostic tests prior to diagnosis. The index date was defined as the first diagnostic test date or an office visit less than 4 weeks prior to the first diagnostic test date. Patient characteristics, time to diagnosis, and HRU were descriptively analyzed for all patients and by cancer type. RESULTS: Among the 458,818 patients newly diagnosed with cancer included in this analysis, the mean age was 70.6 years, approximately half were female, and most were White people (65.0%) with Medicare Advantage coverage (74.0%). Patients with cancer had an overall mean (SD) time to diagnosis of 156.2 (164.9) days and 15.4% of patients waited longer than 180 days before a cancer diagnosis. High heterogeneity among cancer types was observed, with a mean time to diagnosis ranging from 121.6 days (bladder cancer) to 229.0 days (multiple myeloma). Imaging resource use during the diagnostic pathway was high for radiology (60.7%), computerized tomography (50.8%), magnetic resonance imaging (48.6%), and ultrasound (42.6%). A total of 69.3% of patients had endoscopy without biopsy, 36.5% had endoscopy with biopsy, 62.5% had other biopsies, and most patients did general urine and serum tests (91.3%) and nongenetic cancer-specific laboratory tests (84.3%). Resource use was highly varied by cancer type but tended to increase with a longer time to diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of patients experiencing a diagnostic process of longer than 180 days is clinically and economically meaningful. Diagnostic-related HRU was significant and highly variable, highlighting the inefficiencies in the cancer diagnostic process in the United States and the need for policies, guidelines, or medical interventions to streamline cancer diagnostic pathways to optimize patient outcomes and reduce health care system burden. DISCLOSURES: Dr Cong is an employee of Grail, LLC, which supported this study. Drs Gitlin and McGarvey are employees of BluePath Solutions, and Ms Shivaprakash was an employee of BluePath Solutions, which received financial support from Grail, LLC, for study-related research activities. This study was sponsored by Grail, LLC, a subsidiary of Illumina Inc. currently held separate from Illumina Inc. under the terms of the Interim Measures Order of the European Commission dated October 29, 2021. The sponsor had no role in the collection, management, and analysis of the data. The sponsor contributed to study design and data interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ze Cong
- Grail, LLC, a subsidiary of Illumina Inc. currently held separate from Illumina Inc. under the terms of the Interim Measures Order of the European Commission dated October 29, 2021, Menlo Park, CA
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Drosdowsky A, Lamb KE, Bergin RJ, Boyd L, Milley K, IJzerman MJ, Emery JD. A systematic review of methodological considerations in time to diagnosis and treatment in colorectal cancer research. Cancer Epidemiol 2023; 83:102323. [PMID: 36701982 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2023.102323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Research focusing on timely diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer is necessary to improve outcomes for people with cancer. Previous attempts to consolidate research on time to diagnosis and treatment have noted varied methodological approaches and quality, limiting the comparability of findings. This systematic review was conducted to comprehensively assess the scope of methodological issues in this field and provide recommendations for future research. Eligible articles had to assess the role of any interval up to treatment, on any outcome in colorectal cancer, in English, with no limits on publication time. Four databases were searched (Ovid Medline, EMBASE, EMCARE and PsycInfo). Papers were screened by two independent reviewers using a two-stage process of title and abstract followed by full text review. In total, 130 papers were included and had data extracted on specific methodological and statistical features. Several methodological problems were identified across the evidence base. Common issues included arbitrary categorisation of intervals (n = 107, 83%), no adjustment for potential confounders (n = 65, 50%), and lack of justification for included covariates where there was adjustment (n = 40 of 65 papers that performed an adjusted analysis, 62%). Many articles introduced epidemiological biases such as immortal time bias (n = 37 of 80 papers that used survival as an outcome, 46%) and confounding by indication (n = 73, 56%), as well as other biases arising from inclusion of factors outside of their temporal sequence. However, determination of the full extent of these problems was hampered by insufficient reporting. Recommendations include avoiding artificial categorisation of intervals, ensuring bias has not been introduced due to out-of-sequence use of key events and increased use of theoretical frameworks to detect and reduce bias. The development of reporting guidelines and domain-specific risk of bias tools may aid in ensuring future research can reliably contribute to recommendations regarding optimal timing and strengthen the evidence base.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Drosdowsky
- Department of General Practice and Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
| | - Karen E Lamb
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Rebecca J Bergin
- Department of General Practice and Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Cancer Epidemiology Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lucy Boyd
- Department of General Practice and Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Kristi Milley
- Department of General Practice and Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group (PC4), Carlton, Australia
| | - Maarten J IJzerman
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Jon D Emery
- Department of General Practice and Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group (PC4), Carlton, Australia
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Ansar A, Lewis V, McDonald CF, Liu C, Rahman MA. Defining timeliness in care for patients with lung cancer: a scoping review. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e056895. [PMID: 35393318 PMCID: PMC8990712 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Early diagnosis and reducing the time taken to achieve each step of lung cancer care is essential. This scoping review aimed to examine time points and intervals used to measure timeliness and to critically assess how they are defined by existing studies of the care seeking pathway for lung cancer. METHODS This scoping review was guided by the methodological framework for scoping reviews by Arksey and O'Malley. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO electronic databases were searched for articles published between 1999 and 2019. After duplicate removal, all publications went through title and abstract screening followed by full text review and inclusion of articles in the review against the selection criteria. A narrative synthesis describes the time points, intervals and measurement guidelines used by the included articles. RESULTS A total of 2113 articles were identified from the initial search. Finally, 68 articles were included for data charting process. Eight time points and 14 intervals were identified as the most common events researched by the articles. Eighteen different lung cancer care guidelines were used to benchmark intervals in the included articles; all were developed in Western countries. The British Thoracic Society guideline was the most frequently used guideline (20%). Western guidelines were used by the studies in Asian countries despite differences in the health system structure. CONCLUSION This review identified substantial variations in definitions of some of the intervals used to describe timeliness of care for lung cancer. The differences in healthcare delivery systems of Asian and Western countries, and between high-income countries and low-income-middle-income countries may suggest different sets of time points and intervals need to be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan Ansar
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Science Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Institute for Breathing and Sleep (IBAS), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Virginia Lewis
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Science Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Institute for Primary Care and Aging, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christine Faye McDonald
- Institute for Breathing and Sleep (IBAS), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chaojie Liu
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Muhammad Aziz Rahman
- Institute for Breathing and Sleep (IBAS), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Institute for Primary Care and Aging, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- School of Health, Federation University Australia, Berwick, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Noncommunicable Diseases, Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS), Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
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5
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Govalan R, Luu M, Lauzon M, Kosari K, Ahn JC, Rich NE, Nissen N, Roberts LR, Singal AG, Yang JD. Therapeutic Underuse and Delay in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Clinical Impact. Hepatol Commun 2021; 6:223-236. [PMID: 34558830 PMCID: PMC8710787 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) could be affected by lack of or delayed therapy. We aimed to characterize the prevalence, correlates, and clinical impact of therapeutic underuse and delay in patients with HCC. Patients with HCC diagnosed between 2010 and 2017 were analyzed from the United States National Cancer Database. Logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with no and delayed (>90 days after diagnosis) HCC treatment. Cox proportional hazards regression with landmark analysis assessed the association between therapeutic delay and overall survival (OS), accounting for immortal time bias. Of 116,299 patients with HCC, 24.2% received no treatment and 18.4% of treated patients had delayed treatment. Older age, Black, Hispanic, lower socioeconomic status, earlier year of diagnosis, treatment at nonacademic centers, Northeast region, increased medical comorbidity, worse liver dysfunction, and higher tumor burden were associated with no treatment. Among treated patients, younger age, Hispanic, Black, treatment at academic centers, West region, earlier tumor stage, and receipt of noncurative treatment were associated with treatment delays. In multivariable Cox regression with a landmark of 150 days, patients with and without treatment delays had similar OS (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98‐1.04) with a median survival of 33.7 vs. 32.1 months, respectively. However, therapeutic delay was associated with worse OS in patients who had tumor, nodes, and metastases (TNM) stage 1 (aHR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01‐1.11) or received curative treatment (aHR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.05‐1.18). Conclusion: One‐fourth of patients with HCC receive no therapy and one‐fifth of treated patients experience treatment delays. Both were associated with demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical characteristics of patients as well as facility type and region. The association between therapeutic delay and survival was stage and treatment dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Luu
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Research Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Marie Lauzon
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Research Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kambiz Kosari
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Joseph C Ahn
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Nicole E Rich
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Nicholas Nissen
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lewis R Roberts
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Amit G Singal
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ju Dong Yang
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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6
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Rao A, Rich NE, Marrero JA, Yopp AC, Singal AG. Diagnostic and Therapeutic Delays in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Natl Compr Canc Netw 2021; 19:1063-1071. [PMID: 34077908 DOI: 10.6004/jnccn.2020.7689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Delays in diagnosis and treatment have been reported for many cancers, with resultant stage migration and worse survival; however, few data exist in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These data are of particular importance in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused disruptions in healthcare processes and may continue to impact cancer care for the foreseeable future. The aim of our study was to characterize the prevalence and clinical significance of diagnostic and treatment delays in patients with HCC. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients diagnosed with HCC between January 2008 and July 2017 at 2 US health systems. Diagnostic and treatment delays were defined as >90 days between presentation and HCC diagnosis and between diagnosis and treatment, respectively. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with diagnostic and treatment delays and Cox proportional hazard models to identify correlates of overall survival. RESULTS Of 925 patients with HCC, 39.0% were diagnosed via screening, 33.1% incidentally, and 27.9% symptomatically. Median time from presentation to diagnosis was 37 days (interquartile range, 18-94 days), with 120 patients (13.0%) experiencing diagnostic delays. Median time from HCC diagnosis to treatment was 46 days (interquartile range, 29-74 days), with 17.2% of patients experiencing treatment delays. Most (72.5%) diagnostic delays were related to provider-level factors (eg, monitoring indeterminate nodules), whereas nearly half (46.2%) of treatment delays were related to patient-related factors (eg, missed appointments). In multivariable analyses, treatment delays were not associated with increased mortality (hazard ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.60-1.35); these results were consistent across subgroup analyses by Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage and treatment modality. CONCLUSIONS Diagnostic and therapeutic delays exceeding 3 months are common in patients with HCC; however, observed treatment delays do not seem to significantly impact overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole E Rich
- 1Department of Internal Medicine.,2Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | - Jorge A Marrero
- 1Department of Internal Medicine.,3Department of Population and Data Sciences, and
| | - Adam C Yopp
- 2Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center.,4Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Health and Hospital System, Dallas, Texas
| | - Amit G Singal
- 1Department of Internal Medicine.,2Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center.,3Department of Population and Data Sciences, and
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7
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Abdulaal A, Arhi C, Ziprin P. Effect of Health Care Provider Delays on Short-Term Outcomes in Patients With Colorectal Cancer: Multicenter Population-Based Observational Study. Interact J Med Res 2020; 9:e15911. [PMID: 32706666 PMCID: PMC7395251 DOI: 10.2196/15911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The United Kingdom has lower survival figures for all types of cancers compared to many European countries despite similar national expenditures on health. This discrepancy may be linked to long diagnostic and treatment delays. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine whether delays experienced by patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) affect their survival. METHODS This observational study utilized the Somerset Cancer Register to identify patients with CRC who were diagnosed on the basis of positive histology findings. The effects of diagnostic and treatment delays and their subdivisions on outcomes were investigated using Cox proportional hazards regression. Kaplan-Meier plots were used to illustrate group differences. RESULTS A total of 648 patients (375 males, 57.9% males) were included in this study. We found that neither diagnostic delay nor treatment delay had an effect on the overall survival in patients with CRC (χ23=1.5, P=.68; χ23=0.6, P=.90, respectively). Similarly, treatment delays did not affect the outcomes in patients with CRC (χ23=5.5, P=.14). The initial Cox regression analysis showed that patients with CRC who had short diagnostic delays were less likely to die than those experiencing long delays (hazard ratio 0.165, 95% CI 0.044-0.616; P=.007). However, this result was nonsignificant following sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSIONS Diagnostic and treatment delays had no effect on the survival of this cohort of patients with CRC. The utility of the 2-week wait referral system is therefore questioned. Timely screening with subsequent early referral and access to diagnostics may have a more beneficial effect.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paul Ziprin
- Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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8
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Mosgaard BJ, Meaidi A, Høgdall C, Noer MC. Risk factors for early death among ovarian cancer patients: a nationwide cohort study. J Gynecol Oncol 2020; 31:e30. [PMID: 32026656 PMCID: PMC7189078 DOI: 10.3802/jgo.2020.31.e30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To characterize ovarian cancer patients who die within 6 months of diagnosis and to identify prognostic factors for these early deaths. Methods A nationwide cohort study covering ovarian cancer in Denmark in 2005–2016. Tumor and patient characteristics including comorbidity and socioeconomic factors were obtained from the comprehensive Danish national registers. Results A total of 5,570 patients were included in the study. Three months after ovarian cancer diagnosis 456 (8.2%) had died and 664 (11.9%) died within 6 months of diagnosis. Adjusted for age and comorbidity, patients who died early were admitted to hospital significantly more often in a 6-month period before the diagnosis (odds ratio [OR]=1.61 [1.29–2.00], and OR=1.47 [1.21–1.78]), for patients who died within 3 and 6 months respectively). Low educational level (OR=2.11), low income (OR=2.50) and singlehood (OR=1.90) were factors significantly associated with higher risk of early death. The discriminative ability of risk factors in identifying early death was assessed by cross-validated area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The AUC was found to be 0.91 (0.88–0.93) and 0.90 (0.87–0.92) for death within 3 and 6 months, respectively. Conclusions Despite several admissions to hospital, the ovarian cancer diagnosis is delayed for a subgroup of patients, who end up dying early, probably due to physical deterioration in the ineffective waiting time. Up to 90% of high-risk patients might be identified significantly earlier to improve the prognosis. The admittance of the patients having risk symptoms should include fast track investigation for ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berit Jul Mosgaard
- Department of Gynecology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Amani Meaidi
- Department of Gynecology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Claus Høgdall
- Department of Gynecology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mette Calundann Noer
- Department of Gynecology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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9
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Renzi C, Kaushal A, Emery J, Hamilton W, Neal RD, Rachet B, Rubin G, Singh H, Walter FM, de Wit NJ, Lyratzopoulos G. Comorbid chronic diseases and cancer diagnosis: disease-specific effects and underlying mechanisms. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2019; 16:746-761. [PMID: 31350467 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-019-0249-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
An earlier diagnosis is a key strategy for improving the outcomes of patients with cancer. However, achieving this goal can be challenging, particularly for the growing number of people with one or more chronic conditions (comorbidity/multimorbidity) at the time of diagnosis. Pre-existing chronic diseases might affect patient participation in cancer screening, help-seeking for new and/or changing symptoms and clinicians' decision-making on the use of diagnostic investigations. Evidence suggests, for example, that pre-existing pulmonary, cardiovascular, neurological and psychiatric conditions are all associated with a more advanced stage of cancer at diagnosis. By contrast, hypertension and certain gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal conditions might be associated with a more timely diagnosis. In this Review, we propose a comprehensive framework that encompasses the effects of disease-specific, patient-related and health-care-related factors on the diagnosis of cancer in individuals with pre-existing chronic illnesses. Several previously postulated aetiological mechanisms (including alternative explanations, competing demands and surveillance effects) are integrated with newly identified mechanisms, such as false reassurances, or patient concerns about appearing to be a hypochondriac. By considering specific effects of chronic diseases on diagnostic processes and outcomes, tailored early diagnosis initiatives can be developed to improve the outcomes of the large proportion of patients with cancer who have pre-existing chronic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Renzi
- ECHO (Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes) Research Group, Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, University College London, London, UK.
- Cancer Survival Group, Department of Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Aradhna Kaushal
- ECHO (Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes) Research Group, Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jon Emery
- Centre for Cancer Research and Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Willie Hamilton
- St Luke's Campus, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Richard D Neal
- Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Bernard Rachet
- Cancer Survival Group, Department of Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Greg Rubin
- Institute of Health and Society, Sir James Spence Institute, Newcastle University, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Hardeep Singh
- Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Fiona M Walter
- The Primary Care Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Niek J de Wit
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Georgios Lyratzopoulos
- ECHO (Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes) Research Group, Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, University College London, London, UK
- The Primary Care Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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10
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Mattosinho CCDS, Moura ATMS, Oigman G, Ferman SE, Grigorovski N. Time to diagnosis of retinoblastoma in Latin America: A systematic review. Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2019; 36:55-72. [PMID: 31014139 DOI: 10.1080/08880018.2019.1605432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common intraocular tumor of childhood. In low income countries, Time to diagnosis (TTD: interval between first symptom and diagnosis) has been associated with extraocular disease, metastasis and mortality. However, the relationship between TTD and prognosis is complex and not simply a linear correlation, particularly if TTD is <6 months. This systematic review aims to identify studies reporting TTD of retinoblastoma in Latin America, highlighting factors affecting TTD, alongside proposals and initiatives to obtain shorter intervals. The review also aims to discuss the methodology linked to cancer pathways studies. The study respected PRISMA recommendations, was registered on Prospero, an international database for systematic review registries under number CRD42017076777. MEDLINE/PUBMED, LILACS and SCIELO databases were searched. Studies from Latin America and the Caribbean, published between 1997 and 2017, reporting TTD and age at diagnosis of patients with retinoblastoma were selected. Nine studies were selected, concerning 1560 patients from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Honduras, Mexico and Peru. The median TTD ranged from 3 to 5 months and the median age at diagnosis ranged from 16.5 to 22.2 months. A prolonged TTD was observed and was associated to damaging results on retinoblastoma outcomes, particularly increasing extraocular disease, and mortality rates. Methodological heterogeneity was observed and reiterates the importance of standardization of TTD studies, allowing more reliable comparisons and greater knowledge about retinoblastoma pathways before diagnosis. Reports on successful initiatives against delayed diagnosis were scarce, emphasizing a need for further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gabriela Oigman
- b Instituto Nacional de Câncer José Gomes de Alencar - Pediatric Oncology
| | - Sima E Ferman
- b Instituto Nacional de Câncer José Gomes de Alencar - Pediatric Oncology
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Percac-Lima S, Pace LE, Nguyen KH, Crofton CN, Normandin KA, Singer SJ, Rosenthal MB, Chien AT. Diagnostic Evaluation of Patients Presenting to Primary Care with Rectal Bleeding. J Gen Intern Med 2018; 33:415-422. [PMID: 29302885 PMCID: PMC5880768 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-017-4273-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rectal bleeding is a common, frequently benign problem that can also be an early sign of colorectal cancer. Diagnostic evaluation for rectal bleeding is complex, and clinical practice may deviate from available guidelines. OBJECTIVE To assess the degree to which primary care physicians document risk factors for colorectal cancer among patients with rectal bleeding and order colonoscopies when indicated, and the likelihood of physicians ordering and patients receiving recommended colonoscopies based on demographic characteristics, visit patterns, and clinical presentations. DESIGN Cross-sectional study using explicit chart abstraction methods. PARTICIPANTS Three hundred adults, 40-80 years of age, presenting with rectal bleeding to 15 academically affiliated primary care practices between 2012 and 2016. MAIN MEASURES 1) The frequency at which colorectal cancer risk factors were documented in patients' charts, 2) the frequency at which physicians ordered colonoscopies and patients received them, and 3) the odds of ordering and patients receiving recommended colonoscopies based on patient demographic characteristics, visit patterns, and clinical presentations. KEY RESULTS Risk factors for colorectal cancer were documented between 9% and 66% of the time. Most patients (89%) with rectal bleeding needed a colonoscopy according to a clinical guideline. Physicians placed colonoscopy orders for 74% of these patients, and 56% completed the colonoscopy within a year (36% within 60 days). The odds of physicians ordering recommended colonoscopies were significantly higher in patients aged 50-64 years of age than in those aged 40-50 years (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.04, 4.80), and for patients whose most recent colonoscopy was 5 or more years ago (OR = 4.04, 95% CI: 1.50, 10.83). The odds of physicians ordering and patients receiving recommended colonoscopies were significantly lower for each primary care visit unrelated to rectal bleeding (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.75, 0.96). CONCLUSIONS Diagnostic evaluation of patients presenting to primary care with rectal bleeding may be suboptimal because of inadequate risk factor assessment and prioritization of patients' other concurrent medical problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanja Percac-Lima
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Lydia E Pace
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Women's Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kevin H Nguyen
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Charis N Crofton
- Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katharine A Normandin
- Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sara J Singer
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Meredith B Rosenthal
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alyna T Chien
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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12
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Kanguru L, Bikker A, Cavers D, Barnett K, Brewster DH, Weller D, Campbell C. Pathways to diagnosis of a second primary cancer: protocol for a mixed-methods systematic review. BMJ Open 2017; 7:e017929. [PMID: 29273656 PMCID: PMC5988126 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As cancer survivors continue to live longer, the incidence of second primary cancers (SPCs) will also rise. Relatively little is understood about the diagnostic pathway for SPCs, how people appraise, interpret symptoms and seek help for a second different cancer and the experiences (including challenges) of healthcare providers relating to SPCs. This study aims to systematically appraise and synthesise the literature on the pathways to diagnosis of an SPC and the associated patient and healthcare provider experiences. METHODS The approach taken includes systematic searches of published and unpublished literature without any date or language restrictions. MEDLINE, Embase, CAB Abstracts, MEDLINE In-Process and non-indexed citations, PsycINFO, Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process and other non-indexed citations, Ovid MEDLINE Daily, CINAHL, ASSIA, Sociological Abstracts, Web of Science, PROSPERO and grey literature will be searched to identify observational, systematic reviews, mixed methods and qualitative studies of interest. Titles, abstracts and full texts will be screened against the inclusion-exclusion criteria by at least two reviewers independently. Relevant outcomes of interest and study and population characteristics will be extracted. Synthesis will be used guided by the Pathways to Treatment model and the Olesen model of time intervals. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval is not required. This systematic review will provide a deeper understanding of the complex and heterogeneous diagnostic pathways of SPCs, while identifying common themes across the diagnostic interval, routes to diagnosis and patient and healthcare provider experiences. These findings will help provide a nuanced picture of the diagnostic pathway for SPCs that may inform policy and consistent practice. In particular, approaches to early diagnosis for an SPC; including the timing and reasons behind the decision by the patient to seek care,the challenges faced by healthcare providers, and in the development of future interventions to reduce the delay in patient time-to-presentation. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42016051692.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lovney Kanguru
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Annemieke Bikker
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Debbie Cavers
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Karen Barnett
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - David H Brewster
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Scottish Cancer Registry, Information Services Division, NHS National Services Scotland, Edinburgh, UK
| | - David Weller
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Christine Campbell
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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13
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Sikdar KC, Dickinson J, Winget M. Factors associated with mode of colorectal cancer detection and time to diagnosis: a population level study. BMC Health Serv Res 2017; 17:7. [PMID: 28056946 PMCID: PMC5376684 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-016-1944-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Although it is well-known that early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) is important for optimal patient survival, the relationship of patient and health system factors with delayed diagnosis are unclear. The purpose of this study was to identify the demographic, clinical and healthcare factors related to mode of CRC detection and length of the diagnostic interval. Methods All residents of Alberta, Canada diagnosed with first-ever incident CRC in years 2004–2010 were identified from the Alberta Cancer Registry. Population-based administrative health datasets, including hospital discharge abstract, ambulatory care classification system and physician billing data, were used to identify healthcare services related to CRC diagnosis. The time to diagnosis was defined as the time from the first CRC-related healthcare visit to the date of CRC diagnosis. Mode of CRC detection was classified into three groups: urgent, screen-detected and symptomatic. Quantile regression was performed to assess factors associated with time to diagnosis. Results 9626 patients were included in the study; 25% of patients presented as urgent, 32% were screen-detected and 43% were symptomatic. The median time to diagnosis for urgent, screen-detected and symptomatic patients were 6 days (interquartile range (IQR) 2–14 days), 74 days (IQR 36–183 days), 84 days (IQR 39–223 days), respectively. Time to diagnosis was greater than 6 months for 27% of non-urgent patients. Healthcare factors had the largest impact on time to diagnosis: 3 or more visits to a GP increased the median by 140 days whereas 2 or more visits to a GI-specialist increased it by 108 days compared to 0–1 visits to a GP or GI-specialist, respectively. Conclusion A large proportion of CRC patients required urgent work-up or had to wait more than 6 months for diagnosis. Actions are needed to reduce the frequency of urgent presentation as well as improve the timeliness of diagnosis. Findings suggest a need to improve coordination of care across multiple providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khokan C Sikdar
- Community Health Sciences and O'Brien Institute for Public Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, G 214 HSC, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
| | - James Dickinson
- Departments of Family Medicine and Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Marcy Winget
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
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Ortiz-Ortiz KJ, Ríos-Motta R, Marín-Centeno H, Cruz-Correa M, Ortiz AP. Factors associated with late stage at diagnosis among Puerto Rico's government health plan colorectal cancer patients: a cross-sectional study. BMC Health Serv Res 2016; 16:344. [PMID: 27488381 PMCID: PMC4971714 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-016-1590-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Late stage at diagnosis of cancer is considered a key predictor factor for a lower survival rate. Knowing and understanding the barriers to an early diagnosis of colorectal cancer is critical in the fight to reduce the social and economic burden caused by cancer in Puerto Rico. This study evaluates factors associated to colorectal cancer stage at diagnosis among Puerto Rico’s Government Health Plan (GHP) patients. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study based on a secondary data analysis using information from the Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry (PRCCR) and the Puerto Rico Health Insurance Administration (PRHIA). Logistic regression models were used to estimate the unadjusted odds ratio (ORs) and adjusted odds ratio (AORs), and their 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). Colorectal cancer cases diagnosed between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012, among persons 50 to 64 years of age, participants of the GHP and with a cancer diagnosis reported to the PRCCR were included in the study. Results There were 68 (35.79 %) colorectal cancer patients diagnosed at early stage while 122 (64.21 %) where diagnosed at late stage. In the multivariate analysis having a diagnostic delay of more than 59 days (AOR 2.94, 95 % CI: 1.32 to 6.52) and having the first visit through the emergency room (AOR 3.48, 95 % CI: 1.60 to 7.60) were strong predictors of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer at a late stage. Conclusions These results are relevant to understand the factors that influence the outcomes of colorectal cancer patients in the GHP. Therefore, it is important to continue developing studies to understand the Government Health Plan patient’s pathways to a cancer diagnosis, in order to promote assertive decisions to improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen J Ortiz-Ortiz
- Department of Health Services Administration, Graduate School of Public Health, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico. .,Cancer Control and Population Sciences Program, University of Puerto Rico, Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
| | - Ruth Ríos-Motta
- Department of Health Services Administration, Graduate School of Public Health, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Heriberto Marín-Centeno
- Department of Health Services Administration, Graduate School of Public Health, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Marcia Cruz-Correa
- Department of Surgery, Biochemistry and Medicine, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Ana Patricia Ortiz
- Cancer Control and Population Sciences Program, University of Puerto Rico, Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico.,Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
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15
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Partin MR, Burgess DJ, Burgess JF, Gravely A, Haggstrom D, Lillie SE, Nugent S, Powell AA, Shaukat A, Walter LC, Nelson DB. Organizational predictors of colonoscopy follow-up for positive fecal occult blood test results: an observational study. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2015; 24:422-34. [PMID: 25471345 PMCID: PMC4323731 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-14-1170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study assessed the contribution of organizational structures and processes identified from facility surveys to follow-up for positive fecal occult blood tests [FOBT-positive (FOBT(+))]. METHODS We identified 74,104 patients with FOBT(+) results from 98 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities between August 16, 2009 and March 20, 2011, and followed them until September 30, 2011, for completion of colonoscopy. We identified patient characteristics from VHA administrative records, and organizational factors from facility surveys completed by primary care and gastroenterology chiefs. We estimated predictors of colonoscopy completion within 60 days and six months using hierarchical logistic regression models. RESULTS Thirty percent of patients with FOBT(+) results received colonoscopy within 60 days and 49% within six months. Having gastroenterology or laboratory staff notify gastroenterology providers directly about FOBT(+) cases was a significant predictor of 60-day [odds ratio (OR), 1.85; P = 0.01] and six-month follow-up (OR, 1.25; P = 0.008). Additional predictors of 60-day follow-up included adequacy of colonoscopy appointment availability (OR, 1.43; P = 0.01) and frequent individual feedback to primary care providers about FOBT(+) referral timeliness (OR, 1.79; P = 0.04). Additional predictors of six-month follow-up included using guideline-concordant surveillance intervals for low-risk adenomas (OR, 1.57; P = 0.01) and using group appointments and combined verbal-written methods for colonoscopy preparation instruction (OR, 1.48; P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION Directly notifying gastroenterology providers about FOBT(+) results, using guideline-concordant adenoma surveillance intervals, and using colonoscopy preparations instruction methods that provide both verbal and written information may increase overall follow-up rates. Enhancing follow-up within 60 days may require increased colonoscopy capacity and feedback to primary care providers. IMPACT These findings may inform organizational-level interventions to improve FOBT(+) follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa R Partin
- Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
| | - Diana J Burgess
- Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - James F Burgess
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Boston, Massachusetts. Department of Health Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Amy Gravely
- Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - David Haggstrom
- VA Health Services Research and Development Center for Health Information and Communication, Roudebush VAMC, Indianapolis, Indiana. Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Sarah E Lillie
- Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Sean Nugent
- Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Adam A Powell
- Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Aasma Shaukat
- Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Louise C Walter
- Division of Geriatrics, San Francisco VA Medical Center and University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - David B Nelson
- Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Zullig LL, Williams CD, Fortune-Britt AG. Lung and colorectal cancer treatment and outcomes in the Veterans Affairs health care system. Cancer Manag Res 2015; 7:19-35. [PMID: 25609998 PMCID: PMC4298347 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s75463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer (LC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) are the second- and third-most commonly diagnosed cancers in the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system. While many studies have evaluated the treatment quality and outcomes of various aspects of VA LC and CRC care, there are no known reviews synthesizing this information across studies. The purpose of this literature review was to describe LC and CRC treatment (ie, surgical and nonsurgical) and outcomes (eg, mortality, psychosocial, and other) in the VA health care system as reported in the existing peer-reviewed scientific literature. We identified potential articles through a search of published literature using the PubMed electronic database. Our search strategy identified articles containing Medical Subject Headings terms and keywords addressing veterans or veterans' health and LC and/or CRC. We limited articles to those published in the previous 11 years (January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2013). A total of 230 articles were retrieved through the search. After applying the selection criteria, we included 74 studies (34 LC, 47 CRC, and seven both LC and CRC). VA provides a full array of treatments, often with better outcomes than other health care systems. More work is needed to assess patient-reported outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah L Zullig
- Center for Health Services Research and Development in Primary Care, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA ; Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Christina D Williams
- Medical Service, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA ; Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Alice G Fortune-Britt
- Center for Health Services Research and Development in Primary Care, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA ; Department of Health Policy and Management, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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17
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Esteva M, Ruiz A, Ramos M, Casamitjana M, Sánchez-Calavera MA, González-Luján L, Pita-Fernández S, Leiva A, Pértega-Díaz S, Costa-Alcaraz AM, Macià F, Espí A, Segura JM, Lafita S, Novella MT, Yus C, Oliván B, Cabeza E, Seoane-Pillado T, López-Calviño B, Llobera J. Age differences in presentation, diagnosis pathway and management of colorectal cancer. Cancer Epidemiol 2014; 38:346-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2014.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Revised: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Zullig LL, Jackson GL, Weinberger M, Provenzale D, Reeve BB, Carpenter WR. An examination of racial differences in process and outcome of colorectal cancer care quality among users of the veterans affairs health care system. Clin Colorectal Cancer 2013; 12:255-60. [PMID: 23988481 PMCID: PMC3838793 DOI: 10.1016/j.clcc.2013.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2013] [Revised: 05/20/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Veterans Affairs (VA) manages the largest US integrated health care system. Although quality of VA colorectal cancer (CRC) care is well chronicled, there is a paucity of research examining racial differences in this care. This study examines racial differences in 2 dimensions of quality of VA CRC care: processes (time to treatment) and outcomes (survival). PATIENTS AND METHODS Retrospective data were from the VA External Peer Review Program (EPRP), a nationwide VA quality-monitoring program. Study patients were white and African American men diagnosed with nonmetastatic CRC between 2003 and 2006 who received definitive CRC surgery. We examined 3 quality indicators: time from (1) surgery to initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy (stages II-III disease), (2) surgery to surveillance colonoscopy (stages I-III disease), and (3) surgery to death (stages I-III disease). Unadjusted analyses used log-rank and Wilcoxon tests. Adjusted analyses used Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS In unadjusted analyses, there was no evidence of racial differences across the 3 quality measures. In adjusted Cox regression, there were no racial differences in time to initiation of chemotherapy (hazard ratio [HR], 0.82; P = .61) or surgery to death (HR, 0.94; P = .49). In adjusted Cox regression, among those receiving colonoscopy within 7 to 18 months after surgery, white patients experienced slightly shorter median times to surveillance colonoscopy than did African American patients (367 vs. 383 days; HR, 0.63; P = .02). CONCLUSION Other than a small racial difference in timing of surveillance colonoscopy, there was little evidence of racial differences in quality of CRC care among VA health care system users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah L Zullig
- Center of Excellence for Health Services Research in Primary Care, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC; Department of Health Policy and Management, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
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Pruitt SL, Harzke AJ, Davidson NO, Schootman M. Do diagnostic and treatment delays for colorectal cancer increase risk of death? Cancer Causes Control 2013; 24:961-77. [PMID: 23446843 PMCID: PMC3708300 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-013-0172-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2012] [Accepted: 02/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Using 1998-2005 SEER-Medicare data, we examined the effect of diagnostic and treatment delays on all-cause and colorectal cancer (CRC)-specific death among US adults aged ≥ 66 years with invasive colon or rectal cancer. We hypothesized that longer delays would be associated with a greater risk of death. METHODS We defined diagnostic and treatment delays, respectively, as days between (1) initial medical consult for CRC symptoms and pathologically confirmed diagnosis (maximum: 365 days) and (2) pathologically confirmed diagnosis and treatment (maximum: 120 days). Cases (CRC deaths) and controls (deaths due to other causes or censored) were matched on survival time. Logistic regression analyses adjusted for sociodemographic, tumor, and treatment factors. RESULTS Median diagnostic delays were 60 (colon) and 40 (rectal) days and treatment delays were 13 (colon) and 16 (rectal) days in 10,663 patients. Colon cancer patients with the longest diagnostic delays (8-12 months vs. 14-59 days) had higher odds of all-cause (aOR: 1.31 CI: 1.08-1.58), but not CRC-specific death. Colon cancer patients with the shortest treatment delays (<1 vs. 1-2 weeks) had higher odds of all-cause (aOR: 1.23 CI: 1.01-1.49), but not CRC-specific death. Among rectal cancer patients, delays were not associated with risk of all-cause or CRC-specific death. CONCLUSIONS Longer delays of up to 1 year after symptom onset and 120 days for treatment did not increase odds of CRC-specific death. There may be little clinical benefit in detecting and treating existing symptomatic disease earlier. Screening prior to symptom onset must remain the primary goal to reduce CRC incidence, morbidity, and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandi L Pruitt
- Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9169, USA.
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20
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Gupta P, Buscaglia JM. Outcomes research in gastroenterology and endoscopy. World J Gastrointest Endosc 2012; 4:236-40. [PMID: 22720125 PMCID: PMC3377866 DOI: 10.4253/wjge.v4.i6.236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2011] [Revised: 11/16/2011] [Accepted: 05/27/2012] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the field of outcomes research has received increased attention in recent years, there is still considerable uncertainty and confusion about what is “outcomes research”. The following editorial is designed to provide an overview on this topic, illustrate specific examples of outcomes research in clinical gastroenterology and endoscopy, and discuss its importance as a whole. In this article, we review the definition and specific goals of outcomes research. We outline the difference between traditional clinical research and outcomes research and discuss the benefits and limitations of outcomes research. We summarize the types of outcomes studies and methods utilized for outcomes assessment, and give specific examples of the impact of outcomes studies in the field of gastroenterology and endoscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parantap Gupta
- Parantap Gupta, Jonathan M Buscaglia, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Stony Brook University Medical Center, State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY 11794, United States
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21
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Courtney RJ, Paul CL, Sanson-Fisher RW, Macrae F, Attia J, McEvoy M. Current state of medical-advice-seeking behaviour for symptoms of colorectal cancer: determinants of failure and delay in medical consultation. Colorectal Dis 2012; 14:e222-9. [PMID: 22381146 DOI: 10.1111/j.1463-1318.2012.02881.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
AIM There are few data on the factors associated with healthcare-seeking behaviour for symptoms of colorectal cancer. This study describes the determinants of failure and delay in seeking medical advice for rectal bleeding and change in bowel habit. METHOD In total, 1592 persons (56-88 years) were randomly selected from the Hunter Community Study and mailed a questionnaire. RESULTS In all, 18% (60/332) of respondents experiencing rectal bleeding and 20% (39/195) reporting change in bowel habit had never consulted a doctor. The rate of delay (>1 month) for each symptom was 18% and 37%. The reasons for delay included the assumption that the symptoms were not serious or that they were benign. Triggers for seeking medical advice varied. Healthcare-seeking behaviour for rectal bleeding had not significantly improved compared with a previous community-based study. CONCLUSION The seriousness of symptoms, importance of early detection and prompt medical consultation must be articulated in health messages to at-risk persons.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Courtney
- Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
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Weller D, Vedsted P, Rubin G, Walter FM, Emery J, Scott S, Campbell C, Andersen RS, Hamilton W, Olesen F, Rose P, Nafees S, van Rijswijk E, Hiom S, Muth C, Beyer M, Neal RD. The Aarhus statement: improving design and reporting of studies on early cancer diagnosis. Br J Cancer 2012; 106:1262-7. [PMID: 22415239 PMCID: PMC3314787 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2012.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 565] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2011] [Revised: 01/13/2012] [Accepted: 02/14/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Early diagnosis is a key factor in improving the outcomes of cancer patients. A greater understanding of the pre-diagnostic patient pathways is vital yet, at present, research in this field lacks consistent definitions and methods. As a consequence much early diagnosis research is difficult to interpret. A consensus group was formed with the aim of producing guidance and a checklist for early cancer-diagnosis researchers. A consensus conference approach combined with nominal group techniques was used. The work was supported by a systematic review of early diagnosis literature, focussing on existing instruments used to measure time points and intervals in early cancer-diagnosis research. A series of recommendations for definitions and methodological approaches is presented. This is complemented by a checklist that early diagnosis researchers can use when designing and conducting studies in this field. The Aarhus checklist is a resource for early cancer-diagnosis research that should promote greater precision and transparency in both definitions and methods. Further work will examine whether the checklist can be readily adopted by researchers, and feedback on the guidance will be used in future updates.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Weller
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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Impact of comorbidity and healthcare utilization on colorectal cancer stage at diagnosis: literature review. Cancer Causes Control 2011; 23:213-20. [PMID: 22101505 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-011-9875-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2011] [Accepted: 11/09/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Individuals diagnosed with cancer close to death have low access to enrollment in palliative care programs. The purpose of this literature review was to assess the usefulness of pre-diagnostic comorbidity and healthcare utilization as indicators of late-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis, to help with early identification of individuals who may benefit from palliative care. METHODS A literature search was conducted in relevant databases using title/abstract terms which included "cancer," "stage," "diagnosis," "determinants," "predictors," and "associated." Included studies examined whether comorbidity and/or healthcare utilization had an impact on the stage at which CRC was diagnosed. A standardized data abstraction form was used to assess the eligibility of each study. Thirteen articles were included in the literature review. These studies were assessed and synthesized using qualitative methodology. RESULTS We found much heterogeneity among study variables. The findings of this literature review point to the presence of comorbidity and non-emergent healthcare utilization as having no association with late-stage diagnosis. Conversely, emergency room presentation (ERP) was associated with late-stage diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS The results of this literature review did not find strong evidence to suggest that comorbidity and healthcare utilization are potential indicators of late-stage diagnosis. However, ERP may be useful as a flag for consideration of prompt referral to palliative care. Additional research is required to identify potential indicators of late-stage diagnosis that may be available in administrative databases, particularly in the area of healthcare utilization.
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Robinson KM, Christensen KB, Ottesen B, Krasnik A. Socio-demographic factors, comorbidity and diagnostic delay among women diagnosed with cervical, endometrial or ovarian cancer. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2011; 20:653-61. [PMID: 21771126 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2354.2011.01259.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This study investigates the association between socio-demographic factors, comorbidity and diagnostic delay among gynaecological cancer patients. A questionnaire was sent to 1052 women diagnosed with cervical, endometrial or ovarian cancer between October 2006 and December 2007 in Denmark. Long patient delays were associated with diagnosis with a greater risk of experiencing long delays among women diagnosed with cervical and endometrial cancer as opposed to ovarian cancer. The risk of experiencing long GP referral delays was associated with residential area, with a greater risk of long delays in rural vs. urban areas. Long gynaecologist appointment delays were associated with younger age, while long secondary care delays were associated with living in a capital area and having comorbidity. Long total delays were associated with diagnosis with greater risk of experiencing long delays among women diagnosed with cervical and endometrial cancer as opposed to ovarian cancer, and with working as opposed to being retired. In conclusion, this study found that socio-demographic factors and comorbidity play a role in the probability of experiencing long delays. If delays in diagnosis are to be reduced, there must be increased recognition of the significance of symptoms among patients and interventions aimed at ensuring timely care by specialists.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Robinson
- Department of Health Services Research, Institute of Public Health, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen K, Denmark.
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Terhaar sive Droste JS, Oort FA, van der Hulst RWM, Coupé VMH, Craanen ME, Meijer GA, Morsink LM, Visser O, van Wanrooij RLJ, Mulder CJJ. Does delay in diagnosing colorectal cancer in symptomatic patients affect tumor stage and survival? A population-based observational study. BMC Cancer 2010; 10:332. [PMID: 20584274 PMCID: PMC2907342 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-10-332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2010] [Accepted: 06/28/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Diagnosing colorectal cancer (CRC) at an early stage improves survival. To what extent any delay affects outcome once patients are symptomatic is still unclear. Our objectives were to evaluate the association between diagnostic delay and survival in symptomatic patients with early stage CRC and late stage CRC. Methods Prospective population-based observational study evaluating daily clinical practice in Northern Holland. Diagnostic delay was determined through questionnaire-interviews. Dukes' stage was classified into two groups: early stage (Dukes A or B) and late stage (Dukes C or D) cancer. Patients were followed up for 3.5 years after diagnosis. Results In total, 272 patients were available for analysis. Early stage CRC was present in 136 patients while 136 patients had late stage CRC. The mean total diagnostic delay (SE) was 31 (1.5) weeks in all CRC patients. No significant difference was observed in the mean total diagnostic delay in early versus late stage CRC (p = 0.27). In early stage CRC, no difference in survival was observed between patients with total diagnostic delay shorter and longer than the median (Kaplan-Meier, log-rank p = 0.93). In late stage CRC, patients with a diagnostic delay shorter than the median had a shorter survival than patients with a diagnostic delay longer than the median (log-rank p = 0.01). In the multivariate Cox regression model with survival as dependent variable and median delay, age, open access endoscopy, number and type of symptoms as independent variables, the odd's ratio for survival in patients with long delay (>median) versus short delay (≤median) was 1.8 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1 to 3.0; p = 0.01). Tumor-site was not associated with patient survival. When separating late stage CRC in Dukes C and Dukes D tumors, a shorter delay was associated with a shorter survival in Dukes D tumors only and not in Dukes C tumors. Conclusion In symptomatic CRC patients, a longer diagnostic and therapeutic delay in routine clinical practice was not associated with an adverse effect on survival. The time to CRC diagnosis and initiation of treatment did not differ between early stage and late stage colorectal cancer.
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Ahnen DJ. Colorectal cancer: what to do when logic and good intentions are not enough. Dig Dis Sci 2010; 55:1194-6. [PMID: 20414805 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-010-1225-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
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