Dataset Information

Socio-demographic and other patient characteristics associated with time between colonoscopy and surgery, and choice of treatment centre for colorectal cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To investigate key patient clinical and demographic characteristics associated with time between colonoscopy and surgery, and choice of treatment centre for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. This will add to the little published research examining the pathway following CRC diagnosis and prior to surgery.

Design

Retrospective cohort analysis of linked data.

Setting

A population-based sample of people diagnosed August 2004 to December 2007 in New South Wales, Australia.

Participants

569 CRC patients, of whom 407 (72%, 95% CI 68% to 75%) had colonoscopy followed by surgery.

Primary outcome measures

Time between colonoscopy and surgery, and whether the surgery took place in a specialist cancer centre.

Results

Among the 407 eligible patients analysed, the median time from colonoscopy to surgery was 19 days (IQR 12-29 days). After adjusting for key demographic and clinical characteristics such as age and disease stage, the time was longer for rectal cancer patients and those reporting fair/poor health, although differences in medians were <5 days. 24% (95% CI 20% to 28%) had surgery in a specialist cancer centre, which was more common among people resident in metropolitan areas (37% vs 14% for others, adjusted p=0.001) and those without private health insurance (30% vs 21% for others, adjusted p=0.03).

Conclusions

There do not appear to be systemic issues affecting time from colonoscopy to surgery related to patients' socio-demographic characteristics. However, patients with private insurance and those living in rural areas may be less likely to receive optimal specialist treatment. A more systematic approach might be needed to ensure cancer patients are treated in specialist cancer centres, particularly patients requiring more specialised treatment.

SUBMITTER: Goldsbury D

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3367154 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Socio-demographic and other patient characteristics associated with time between colonoscopy and surgery, and choice of treatment centre for colorectal cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

Goldsbury David D Harris Mark Fort MF Pascoe Shane S Olver Ian I Barton Michael M Spigelman Allan A O'Connell Dianne D

BMJ open 20120526 3

<h4>Objectives</h4>To investigate key patient clinical and demographic characteristics associated with time between colonoscopy and surgery, and choice of treatment centre for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. This will add to the little published research examining the pathway following CRC diagnosis and prior to surgery.<h4>Design</h4>Retrospective cohort analysis of linked data.<h4>Setting</h4>A population-based sample of people diagnosed August 2004 to December 2007 in New South Wales, Austr ...[more]

PMID: 22637491

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Dataset Information

Socio-demographic and other patient characteristics associated with time between colonoscopy and surgery, and choice of treatment centre for colorectal cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

Objectives

Design

Setting

Participants

Primary outcome measures

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Socio-demographic and other patient characteristics associated with time between colonoscopy and surgery, and choice of treatment centre for colorectal cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

Similar Datasets

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