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Rafiq M, Drosdowsky A, Solomon B, Alexander M, Gibbs P, Wright G, Yeung JM, Lyratzopoulos G, Emery J. Trends in primary care blood tests prior to lung and colorectal cancer diagnosis-A retrospective cohort study using linked Australian data. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e70006. [PMID: 39001673 PMCID: PMC11245636 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.70006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Abnormal results in common blood tests may occur several months before lung cancer (LC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis. Identifying early blood markers of cancer and distinct blood test signatures could support earlier diagnosis in general practice. METHODS Using linked Australian primary care and hospital cancer registry data, we conducted a cohort study of 855 LC and 399 CRC patients diagnosed between 2001 and 2021. Requests and results from general practice blood tests (six acute phase reactants [APR] and six red blood cell indices [RBCI]) were examined in the 2 years before cancer diagnosis. Poisson regression models were used to estimate monthly incidence rates and examine pre-diagnostic trends in blood test use and abnormal results prior to cancer diagnosis, comparing patterns in LC and CRC patients. RESULTS General practice blood test requests increase from 7 months before CRC and 6 months before LC diagnosis. Abnormalities in many APR and RBCI tests increase several months before cancer diagnosis, often occur prior to or in the absence of anaemia (in 51% of CRC and 81% of LC patients with abnormalities), and are different in LC and CRC patients. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates an increase in diagnostic activity in Australian general practice several months before LC and CRC diagnosis, indicating potential opportunities for earlier diagnosis. It identifies blood test abnormalities and distinct signatures that are early markers of LC and CRC. If combined with other pre-diagnostic information, these blood tests have potential to support GPs in prioritising patients for cancer investigation of different sites to expedite diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meena Rafiq
- Department of General Practice and Centre for Cancer Research, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare & Outcomes (ECHO) Group, Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care (IECH), UCL, London, UK
| | - Allison Drosdowsky
- Department of General Practice and Centre for Cancer Research, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ben Solomon
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Peter Gibbs
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gavin Wright
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Justin M Yeung
- Department of Surgery, Western Precinct, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Georgios Lyratzopoulos
- Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare & Outcomes (ECHO) Group, Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care (IECH), UCL, London, UK
| | - Jon Emery
- Department of General Practice and Centre for Cancer Research, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Exarchakou A, Rachet B, Lyratzopoulos G, Maringe C, Rubio FJ. What can hospital emergency admissions prior to cancer diagnosis tell us about socio-economic inequalities in cancer diagnosis? Evidence from population-based data in England. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:1960-1968. [PMID: 38671209 PMCID: PMC11182764 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02688-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND More deprived cancer patients are at higher risk of Emergency Presentation (EP) with most studies pointing to lower symptom awareness and increased comorbidities to explain those patterns. With the example of colon cancer, we examine patterns of hospital emergency admissions (HEAs) history in the most and least deprived patients as a potential precursor of EP. METHODS We analysed the rates of hospital admissions and their admission codes (retrieved from Hospital Episode Statistics) in the two years preceding cancer diagnosis by sex, deprivation and route to diagnosis (EP, non-EP). To select the conditions (grouped admission codes) that best predict emergency admission, we adapted the purposeful variable selection to mixed-effects logistic regression. RESULTS Colon cancer patients diagnosed through EP had the highest number of HEAs than all the other routes to diagnosis, especially in the last 7 months before diagnosis. Most deprived patients had an overall higher rate and higher probability of HEA but fewer conditions associated with it. CONCLUSIONS Our findings point to higher use of emergency services for non-specific symptoms and conditions in the most deprived patients, preceding colon cancer diagnosis. Health system barriers may be a shared factor of socio-economic inequalities in EP and HEAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimilia Exarchakou
- Inequalities in Cancer Outcomes Network (ICON), Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Bernard Rachet
- Inequalities in Cancer Outcomes Network (ICON), Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Georgios Lyratzopoulos
- Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes (ECHO), Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | - Camille Maringe
- Inequalities in Cancer Outcomes Network (ICON), Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Harrison H, Ip S, Renzi C, Li Y, Barclay M, Usher-Smith J, Lyratzopoulos G, Wood A, Antoniou AC. Implementation and external validation of the Cambridge Multimorbidity Score in the UK Biobank cohort. BMC Med Res Methodol 2024; 24:71. [PMID: 38509467 PMCID: PMC10953059 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-024-02175-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with multiple conditions present a growing challenge for healthcare provision. Measures of multimorbidity may support clinical management, healthcare resource allocation and accounting for the health of participants in purpose-designed cohorts. The recently developed Cambridge Multimorbidity scores (CMS) have the potential to achieve these aims using primary care records, however, they have not yet been validated outside of their development cohort. METHODS The CMS, developed in the Clinical Research Practice Dataset (CPRD), were validated in UK Biobank participants whose data is not available in CPRD (the cohort used for CMS development) with available primary care records (n = 111,898). This required mapping of the 37 pre-existing conditions used in the CMS to the coding frameworks used by UK Biobank data providers. We used calibration plots and measures of discrimination to validate the CMS for two of the three outcomes used in the development study (death and primary care consultation rate) and explored variation by age and sex. We also examined the predictive ability of the CMS for the outcome of cancer diagnosis. The results were compared to an unweighted count score of the 37 pre-existing conditions. RESULTS For all three outcomes considered, the CMS were poorly calibrated in UK Biobank. We observed a similar discriminative ability for the outcome of primary care consultation rate to that reported in the development study (C-index: 0.67 (95%CI:0.66-0.68) for both, 5-year follow-up); however, we report lower discrimination for the outcome of death than the development study (0.69 (0.68-0.70) and 0.89 (0.88-0.90) respectively). Discrimination for cancer diagnosis was adequate (0.64 (0.63-0.65)). The CMS performs favourably to the unweighted count score for death, but not for the outcomes of primary care consultation rate or cancer diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS In the UK Biobank, CMS discriminates reasonably for the outcomes of death, primary care consultation rate and cancer diagnosis and may be a valuable resource for clinicians, public health professionals and data scientists. However, recalibration will be required to make accurate predictions when cohort composition and risk levels differ substantially from the development cohort. The generated resources (including codelists for the conditions and code for CMS implementation in UK Biobank) are available online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Harrison
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Samantha Ip
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Cristina Renzi
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, University College London, London, UK
- Faculty of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Via Olgettina 58, Milan, Italy
| | - Yangfan Li
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Matthew Barclay
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, University College London, London, UK
| | - Juliet Usher-Smith
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Georgios Lyratzopoulos
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, University College London, London, UK
| | - Angela Wood
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- National Institute for Health and Care Research Blood and Transplant Research Unit in Donor Health and Behaviour, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Health Data Research UK Cambridge, Wellcome Genome Campus and University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Antonis C Antoniou
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Whitfield E, White B, Denaxas S, Barclay ME, Renzi C, Lyratzopoulos G. A taxonomy of early diagnosis research to guide study design and funding prioritisation. Br J Cancer 2023; 129:1527-1534. [PMID: 37794179 PMCID: PMC10645731 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02450-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Researchers and research funders aiming to improve diagnosis seek to identify if, when, where, and how earlier diagnosis is possible. This has led to the propagation of research studies using a wide range of methodologies and data sources to explore diagnostic processes. Many such studies use electronic health record data and focus on cancer diagnosis. Based on this literature, we propose a taxonomy to guide the design and support the synthesis of early diagnosis research, focusing on five key questions: Do healthcare use patterns suggest earlier diagnosis could be possible? How does the diagnostic process begin? How do patients progress from presentation to diagnosis? How long does the diagnostic process take? Could anything have been done differently to reach the correct diagnosis sooner? We define families of diagnostic research study designs addressing each of these questions and appraise their unique or complementary contributions and limitations. We identify three further questions on relationships between the families and their relevance for examining patient group inequalities, supported with examples from the cancer literature. Although exemplified through cancer as a disease model, we recognise the framework is also applicable to non-neoplastic disease. The proposed framework can guide future study design and research funding prioritisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Whitfield
- ECHO (Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare & Outcomes), Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, UCL (University College London), 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK.
- Institute of Health Informatics, UCL, London, UK.
| | - Becky White
- ECHO (Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare & Outcomes), Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, UCL (University College London), 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Spiros Denaxas
- Institute of Health Informatics, UCL, London, UK
- British Heart Foundation Data Science Centre, London, UK
- Health Data Research UK, London, UK
- UCL Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Matthew E Barclay
- ECHO (Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare & Outcomes), Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, UCL (University College London), 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Cristina Renzi
- ECHO (Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare & Outcomes), Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, UCL (University College London), 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
- Faculty of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Georgios Lyratzopoulos
- ECHO (Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare & Outcomes), Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, UCL (University College London), 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
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Sharon CE, Wang M, Tortorello GN, Perry NJ, Ma KL, Tchou JC, Fayanju OM, Mahmoud NN, Miura JT, Karakousis GC. Impact of Patient Comorbidities on Presentation Stage of Breast and Colon Cancers. Ann Surg Oncol 2023; 30:4617-4626. [PMID: 37208570 PMCID: PMC10788153 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-023-13596-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While patients with multiple comorbidities may have frequent contact with medical providers, it is unclear whether their healthcare visits translate into earlier detection of cancers, specifically breast and colon cancers. METHODS Patients diagnosed with stage I-IV breast ductal carcinoma and colon adenocarcinoma were identified from the National Cancer Database and stratified by comorbidity burden, dichotomized as a Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) Score of <2 or ≥2. Characteristics associated with comorbidities were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Propensity-score matching was performed to determine the impact of CCI on stage at cancer diagnosis, dichotomized as early (I-II) or late (III-IV). RESULTS A total of 672,032 patients with colon adenocarcinoma and 2,132,889 with breast ductal carcinoma were included. Patients with colon adenocarcinoma who had a CCI ≥ 2 (11%, n = 72,620) were more likely to be diagnosed with early-stage disease (53% vs. 47%; odds ratio [OR] 1.02, p = 0.017), and this finding persisted after propensity matching (CCI ≥ 2 55% vs. CCI < 2 53%, p < 0.001). Patients with breast ductal carcinoma who had a CCI ≥ 2 (4%, n = 85,069) were more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage disease (15% vs. 12%; OR 1.35, p < 0.001). This finding also persisted after propensity matching (CCI ≥ 2 14% vs. CCI < 2 10%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Patients with more comorbidities are more likely to present with early-stage colon cancers but late-stage breast cancers. This finding may reflect differences in practice patterns for routine screening in these patients. Providers should continue guideline directed screenings to detect cancers at an earlier stage and optimize outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cimarron E Sharon
- Department of Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Michael Wang
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Gabriella N Tortorello
- Department of Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nikhita J Perry
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kevin L Ma
- Department of Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Julia C Tchou
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of surgery, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Oluwadamilola M Fayanju
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of surgery, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Najjia N Mahmoud
- Abramson Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - John T Miura
- Abramson Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Endocrine and Oncologic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Giorgos C Karakousis
- Abramson Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Endocrine and Oncologic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Burnett B, Zhou SM, Brophy S, Davies P, Ellis P, Kennedy J, Bandyopadhyay A, Parker M, Lyons RA. Machine Learning in Colorectal Cancer Risk Prediction from Routinely Collected Data: A Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:301. [PMID: 36673111 PMCID: PMC9858109 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13020301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The inclusion of machine-learning-derived models in systematic reviews of risk prediction models for colorectal cancer is rare. Whilst such reviews have highlighted methodological issues and limited performance of the models included, it is unclear why machine-learning-derived models are absent and whether such models suffer similar methodological problems. This scoping review aims to identify machine-learning models, assess their methodology, and compare their performance with that found in previous reviews. A literature search of four databases was performed for colorectal cancer prediction and prognosis model publications that included at least one machine-learning model. A total of 14 publications were identified for inclusion in the scoping review. Data was extracted using an adapted CHARM checklist against which the models were benchmarked. The review found similar methodological problems with machine-learning models to that observed in systematic reviews for non-machine-learning models, although model performance was better. The inclusion of machine-learning models in systematic reviews is required, as they offer improved performance despite similar methodological omissions; however, to achieve this the methodological issues that affect many prediction models need to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Burnett
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Shang-Ming Zhou
- Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Sinead Brophy
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
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Kuryba AJ, Boyle JM, van der Meulen J, Aggarwal A, Walker K, Fearnhead NS, Braun MS. Severity of Dementia and Survival in Patients Diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer: A National Cohort Study in England and Wales. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2023; 35:e67-e76. [PMID: 36216698 DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2022.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
AIMS There is little evidence about the survival of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) also diagnosed with dementia. We quantified dementia severity and estimated how it is associated with 2-year overall survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS Records of patients aged 65 years or older diagnosed with CRC in England and Wales were identified. A novel proxy for dementia severity combined dementia diagnosis in administrative hospital data with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios with and without risk adjustment. RESULTS In total, 4033 of 105 250 CRC patients (3.8%) had dementia recorded. Two-year survival decreased with increasing dementia severity from 65.4% without dementia, 53.5% with mild dementia, 33.0% with moderate dementia to 16.5% with severe dementia (hazard ratio comparing severe with no dementia: 2.97; 95% confidence interval 2.79, 3.16). Risk adjustment for comorbidity and cancer stage reduced this association slightly (hazard ratio 2.52; 95% confidence interval 2.37, 2.68) and additional adjustment for treatment factors reduced it further (hazard ratio 1.60; 95% confidence interval 1.50, 1.70). CONCLUSIONS Survival of CRC patients varied strongly according to dementia severity, suggesting that a 'one-size-fits-all' policy for the care of CRC patients with dementia is not appropriate. Comprehensive assessment of cancer patients with dementia that considers dementia severity is essential in a shared decision-making process that ensures patients receive the most appropriate treatment for their individual needs and preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Kuryba
- Clinical Effectiveness Unit, Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, UK; Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - J M Boyle
- Clinical Effectiveness Unit, Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, UK; Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - J van der Meulen
- Clinical Effectiveness Unit, Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, UK; Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - A Aggarwal
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Oncology, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - K Walker
- Clinical Effectiveness Unit, Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, UK; Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - N S Fearnhead
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - M S Braun
- Department of Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK; School of Medical Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Smith MJ, Rachet B, Luque-Fernandez MA. Mediating Effects of Diagnostic Route on the Comorbidity Gap in Survival of Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell or Follicular Lymphoma in England. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5082. [PMID: 36291866 PMCID: PMC9599821 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14205082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Socioeconomic inequalities in survival from non-Hodgkin lymphoma persist. Comorbidities are more prevalent amongst those in more deprived areas and are associated with diagnostic delay (emergency diagnostic route), which is also associated with poorer survival probability. We aimed to describe the effect of comorbidity on the probability of death mediated by diagnostic route (emergency vs. elective route) amongst patients with diffuse large B-cell (DLBCL) or follicular lymphoma (FL). Methods: We linked the English population-based cancer registry and hospital admission records (2005-2013) of patients aged 45-99 years. We decomposed the effect of comorbidity on survival into an indirect effect acting through diagnostic route and a direct effect not mediated by diagnostic route. Furthermore, we estimated the proportion of the comorbidity effect on survival mediated by diagnostic route. Results: For both DLBCL (n = 27,379) and FL (n = 14,043), those with any comorbidity, or living in more deprived areas, were more likely to experience diagnostic delay and poorer survival. The indirect effect of comorbidity on mortality through diagnostic route was highest at 12 months since diagnosis (DLBCL: Odds Ratio 1.10 [95% CI 1.07-1.13], FL: OR 1.09 [95% CI 1.04-1.14]). Within the first 12 months since diagnosis, emergency diagnostic route accounted for 24% (95% CI 17.5-29.5) and 16% (95% CI 6.0-25.6) of the comorbidity effect on mortality, for DLBCL and FL, respectively. Conclusion: Efforts to reduce diagnostic delay (emergency diagnosis) amongst patients with comorbidity would reduce inequalities in DLBCL and FL survival by 24% and 16%, respectively. Further public health programs and interventions are needed to reduce diagnostic delay amongst lymphoma patients with comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Smith
- Inequalities in Cancer Outcomes Network, Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Bernard Rachet
- Inequalities in Cancer Outcomes Network, Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Miguel Angel Luque-Fernandez
- Inequalities in Cancer Outcomes Network, Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
- Department of Statistics and Operations Research, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
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Occurrence of comorbidity with colorectal cancer and variations by age and stage at diagnosis. Cancer Epidemiol 2022; 80:102246. [PMID: 36067574 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2022.102246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While age and stage at diagnosis are known to affect treatment choices and survival from colorectal cancer (CRC), few studies have investigated the extent to which these effects are influenced by comorbidity. In this study, we describe the occurrence of comorbidity in CRC cases in South Australia and associations of comorbidity with age, stage and the age-stage relationship. Furthermore, we report on the association of individual comorbidities with age and stage at diagnosis. METHODS The South Australian Cancer Registry (SACR) provided CRC data (C18-C20, ICD-10) for 2004-2013 diagnoses. CRC data were linked with comorbidity data drawn from hospital records and health insurance claims. Logistic regression was used to model associations of comorbidity with age and stage. RESULTS For the 8462 CRC cases in this study, diabetes, peptic ulcer disease, and previous cancers were the most commonly recorded co-existing conditions. Most comorbidities were associated with older age, although some presented more frequently in younger people. Patients at both ends of the age spectrum (<50 and 80 + years) had an increased likelihood of CRC diagnosis at an advanced stage compared with other ages (50-79 years old). Adjusting for comorbidities moderated the association of older age with advanced stage. Conditions associated with advanced stage included dementia (OR = 1.25 (1.01-1.55)), severe liver disease (OR = 1.68 (1.04-2.70)), and a previous cancer (OR = 1.18 (1.08-1.28)). CONCLUSION Comorbidities are prevalent with CRC, especially in older people. These comorbidities differ in their associations with age at diagnosis and stage. Dementia and chronic heart failure were associated with older age whereas inflammatory bowel disease and alcohol access were associated with younger onset of the disease. Severe liver disease and dementia were associated with more advanced stage and rheumatic disease with less advanced stage. Comorbidities also interact with age at diagnosis and appear to vary the likelihood of advanced-stage disease. CRC patient have different association of age with stage depending on their comorbidity status.
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Martins T, Abel G, Ukoumunne OC, Mounce LTA, Price S, Lyratzopoulos G, Chinegwundoh F, Hamilton W. Ethnic inequalities in routes to diagnosis of cancer: a population-based UK cohort study. Br J Cancer 2022; 127:863-871. [PMID: 35661833 PMCID: PMC9427836 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-01847-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND UK Asian and Black ethnic groups have poorer outcomes for some cancers and are less likely to report a positive care experience than their White counterparts. This study investigated ethnic differences in the route to diagnosis (RTD) to identify areas in patients' cancer journeys where inequalities lie, and targeted intervention might have optimum impact. METHODS We analysed data of 243,825 patients with 10 cancers (2006-2016) from the RTD project linked to primary care data. Crude and adjusted proportions of patients diagnosed via six routes (emergency, elective GP referral, two-week wait (2WW), screen-detected, hospital, and Other routes) were calculated by ethnicity. Adjusted odds ratios (including two-way interactions between cancer and age, sex, IMD, and ethnicity) determined cancer-specific differences in RTD by ethnicity. RESULTS Across the 10 cancers studied, most patients were diagnosed via 2WW (36.4%), elective GP referral (23.2%), emergency (18.2%), hospital routes (10.3%), and screening (8.61%). Patients of Other ethnic group had the highest proportion of diagnosis via the emergency route, followed by White patients. Asian and Black group were more likely to be GP-referred, with the Black and Mixed groups also more likely to follow the 2WW route. However, there were notable cancer-specific differences in the RTD by ethnicity. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that, where inequalities exist, the adverse cancer outcomes among Asian and Black patients are unlikely to be arising solely from a poorer diagnostic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanimola Martins
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, College House, St Luke's Campus, Magdalen Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK.
| | - Gary Abel
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, College House, St Luke's Campus, Magdalen Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Obioha C Ukoumunne
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) South West Peninsula (PenARC), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Luke T A Mounce
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, College House, St Luke's Campus, Magdalen Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Sarah Price
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, College House, St Luke's Campus, Magdalen Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Georgios Lyratzopoulos
- Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare & Outcomes (ECHO) Group, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Frank Chinegwundoh
- Barts Health NHS Trust & Department of Health Sciences, University of London, London, UK
| | - William Hamilton
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, College House, St Luke's Campus, Magdalen Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK
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11
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White B, Rafiq M, Gonzalez-Izquierdo A, Hamilton W, Price S, Lyratzopoulos G. Risk of cancer following primary care presentation with fatigue: a population-based cohort study of a quarter of a million patients. Br J Cancer 2022; 126:1627-1636. [PMID: 35181753 PMCID: PMC9130200 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-01733-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The management of adults presenting with fatigue presents a diagnostic challenge, particularly regarding possible underlying cancer. METHODS Using electronic health records, we examined cancer risk in patients presenting to primary care with new-onset fatigue in England during 2007-2013, compared to general population estimates. We examined variation by age, sex, deprivation, and time following presentation. FINDINGS Of 250,606 patients presenting with fatigue, 12-month cancer risk exceeded 3% in men aged 65 and over and women aged 80 and over, and 6% in men aged 80 and over. Nearly half (47%) of cancers were diagnosed within 3 months from first fatigue presentation. Site-specific cancer risk was higher than the general population for most cancers studied, with greatest relative increases for leukaemia, pancreatic and brain cancers. CONCLUSIONS In older patients, new-onset fatigue is associated with cancer risk exceeding current thresholds for urgent specialist referral. Future research should consider how risk is modified by the presence or absence of other signs and symptoms. Excess cancer risk wanes rapidly after 3 months, which could inform the duration of a 'safety-netting' period. Fatigue presentation is not strongly predictive of any single cancer, although certain cancers are over-represented; this knowledge can help prioritise diagnostic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Becky White
- Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes (ECHO) Research Group, Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Meena Rafiq
- Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes (ECHO) Research Group, Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Arturo Gonzalez-Izquierdo
- Institute of Health Informatics, Faculty of Population Health Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Willie Hamilton
- University of Exeter Medical School, St Luke's Campus, Magdalen Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Sarah Price
- University of Exeter Medical School, St Luke's Campus, Magdalen Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Georgios Lyratzopoulos
- Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes (ECHO) Research Group, Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, UK
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Majano SB, Lyratzopoulos G, Rachet B, de Wit NJ, Renzi C. Do presenting symptoms, use of pre-diagnostic endoscopy and risk of emergency cancer diagnosis vary by comorbidity burden and type in patients with colorectal cancer? Br J Cancer 2022; 126:652-663. [PMID: 34741134 PMCID: PMC8569047 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01603-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer patients often have pre-existing comorbidities, which can influence timeliness of cancer diagnosis. We examined symptoms, investigations and emergency presentation (EP) risk among colorectal cancer (CRC) patients by comorbidity status. METHODS Using linked cancer registration, primary care and hospital records of 4836 CRC patients (2011-2015), and multivariate quantile and logistic regression, we examined variations in specialist investigations, diagnostic intervals and EP risk. RESULTS Among colon cancer patients, 46% had at least one pre-existing hospital-recorded comorbidity, most frequently cardiovascular disease (CVD, 18%). Comorbid versus non-comorbid cancer patients more frequently had records of anaemia (43% vs 38%), less frequently rectal bleeding/change in bowel habit (20% vs 27%), and longer intervals from symptom-to-first relevant test (median 136 vs 74 days). Comorbid patients were less likely investigated with colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy, independently of symptoms (adjusted OR = 0.7[0.6, 0.9] for Charlson comorbidity score 1-2 and OR = 0.5 [0.4-0.7] for score 3+ versus 0. EP risk increased with comorbidity score 0, 1, 2, 3+: 23%, 35%, 33%, 47%; adjusted OR = 1.8 [1.4, 2.2]; 1.7 [1.3, 2.3]; 3.0 [2.3, 4.0]) and for patients with CVD (adjusted OR = 2.0 [1.5, 2.5]). CONCLUSIONS Comorbid individuals with as-yet-undiagnosed CRC often present with general rather than localising symptoms and are less likely promptly investigated with colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy. Comorbidity is a risk factor for diagnostic delay and has potential, additionally to symptoms, as risk-stratifier for prioritising patients needing prompt assessment to reduce EP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Benitez Majano
- Inequalities in Cancer Outcomes Network (ICON) Group, Department of Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Georgios Lyratzopoulos
- Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare & Outcomes (ECHO) Research Group, Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, University College London, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Bernard Rachet
- Inequalities in Cancer Outcomes Network (ICON) Group, Department of Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Niek J de Wit
- University Medical Center, Utrecht University, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cristina Renzi
- Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare & Outcomes (ECHO) Research Group, Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, University College London, London, WC1E 7HB, UK.
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13
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Quaresma M, Carpenter JR, Turculet A, Rachet B. Variation in colon cancer survival for patients living and receiving care in London, 2006-2013: does where you live matter? J Epidemiol Community Health 2022; 76:196-205. [PMID: 34400515 PMCID: PMC8762004 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2021-217043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Marked geographical disparities in survival from colon cancer have been consistently described in England. Similar patterns have been observed within London, almost mimicking a microcosm of the country's survival patterns. This evidence has suggested that the area of residence plays an important role in the survival from cancer. METHODS We analysed the survival from colon cancer of patients diagnosed in 2006-2013, in a pre-pandemic period, living in London at their diagnosis and received care in a London hospital. We examined the patterns of patient pathways between the area of residence and the hospital of care using flow maps, and we investigated whether geographical variations in survival from colon cancer are associated with the hospital of care. To estimate survival, we applied a Bayesian excess hazard model which accounts for the hierarchical structure of the data. RESULTS Geographical disparities in colon cancer survival disappeared once controlled for hospitals, and the disparities seemed to be augmented between hospitals. However, close examination of patient pathways revealed that the poorer survival observed in some hospitals was mostly associated with higher proportions of emergency diagnosis, while their performance was generally as expected for patients diagnosed through non-emergency routes. DISCUSSION This study highlights the need to better coordinate primary and secondary care sectors in some areas of London to improve timely access to specialised clinicians and diagnostic tests. This challenge remains crucially relevant after the recent successive regroupings of Clinical Commissioning Groups (which grouped struggling areas together) and the observed exacerbation of disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Quaresma
- Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - James R Carpenter
- Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- London Hub for Trials Methodology Research, MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, London, UK
| | - Adrian Turculet
- Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Bernard Rachet
- Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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White B, Renzi C, Rafiq M, Abel GA, Jensen H, Lyratzopoulos G. Does changing healthcare use signal opportunities for earlier detection of cancer? A review of studies using information from electronic patient records. Cancer Epidemiol 2022; 76:102072. [PMID: 34876377 PMCID: PMC8785122 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2021.102072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been proposed that changes in healthcare use before cancer diagnosis could signal opportunities for quicker detection, but systematic appreciation of such evidence is lacking. We reviewed studies examining pre-diagnostic changes in healthcare utilisation (e.g. rates of GP or hospital consultations, prescriptions or diagnostic tests) among patients subsequently diagnosed with cancer. METHODS We identified studies through Pubmed searches complemented by expert elicitation. We extracted information on the earliest time point when diagnosis could have been possible for at least some cancers, together with variation in the length of such 'diagnostic windows' by tumour and patient characteristics. RESULTS Across twenty-eight studies, changes in healthcare use were observable at least six months pre-diagnosis for many common cancers, and potentially even earlier for colorectal cancer, multiple myeloma and brain tumours. Early changes were also identified for brain and colon cancer sub-sites. CONCLUSION Changing healthcare utilisation patterns before diagnosis indicate that future improvements in diagnostic technologies or services could help to shorten diagnostic intervals for cancer. There is greatest potential for quicker diagnosis for certain cancer types and patient groups, which can inform priorities for the development of decision support tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Becky White
- ECHO (Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes, Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care (IEHC)), University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - Cristina Renzi
- ECHO (Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes, Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care (IEHC)), University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Meena Rafiq
- ECHO (Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes, Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care (IEHC)), University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Gary A Abel
- University of Exeter Medical School, St Luke's Campus, Magdalen Road, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Georgios Lyratzopoulos
- ECHO (Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes, Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care (IEHC)), University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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Smith MJ, Belot A, Quartagno M, Luque Fernandez MA, Bonaventure A, Gachau S, Benitez Majano S, Rachet B, Njagi EN. Excess Mortality by Multimorbidity, Socioeconomic, and Healthcare Factors, amongst Patients Diagnosed with Diffuse Large B-Cell or Follicular Lymphoma in England. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5805. [PMID: 34830964 PMCID: PMC8616469 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Socioeconomic inequalities of survival in patients with lymphoma persist, which may be explained by patients' comorbidities. We aimed to assess the association between comorbidities and the survival of patients diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell (DLBCL) or follicular lymphoma (FL) in England accounting for other socio-demographic characteristics. (2) Methods: Population-based cancer registry data were linked to Hospital Episode Statistics. We used a flexible multilevel excess hazard model to estimate excess mortality and net survival by patient's comorbidity status, adjusted for sociodemographic, economic, and healthcare factors, and accounting for the patient's area of residence. We used the latent normal joint modelling multiple imputation approach for missing data. (3) Results: Overall, 15,516 and 29,898 patients were diagnosed with FL and DLBCL in England between 2005 and 2013, respectively. Amongst DLBCL and FL patients, respectively, those in the most deprived areas showed 1.22 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.18-1.27) and 1.45 (95% CI: 1.30-1.62) times higher excess mortality hazard compared to those in the least deprived areas, adjusted for comorbidity status, age at diagnosis, sex, ethnicity, and route to diagnosis. (4) Conclusions: Deprivation is consistently associated with poorer survival among patients diagnosed with DLBCL or FL, after adjusting for co/multimorbidities. Comorbidities and multimorbidities need to be considered when planning public health interventions targeting haematological malignancies in England.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew James Smith
- Inequalities in Cancer Outcomes Network, Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK; (A.B.); (M.A.L.F.); (S.B.M.); (B.R.); (E.N.N.)
| | - Aurélien Belot
- Inequalities in Cancer Outcomes Network, Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK; (A.B.); (M.A.L.F.); (S.B.M.); (B.R.); (E.N.N.)
| | - Matteo Quartagno
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit, Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology, University College London, London WC1V 6LJ, UK;
| | - Miguel Angel Luque Fernandez
- Inequalities in Cancer Outcomes Network, Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK; (A.B.); (M.A.L.F.); (S.B.M.); (B.R.); (E.N.N.)
- Noncommunicable Disease and Cancer Epidemiology Group, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada, Ibs.GRANADA, Andalusian School of Public Health, 18012 Granada, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health, CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Audrey Bonaventure
- Epidemiology of Childhood and Adolescent Cancers Team, Research Centre in Epidemiology and Biostatistics (CRESS), Inserm UMR 1153, Université de Paris, 94801 Villejuif, France;
| | - Susan Gachau
- School of Mathematics, University of Nairobi, Nairobi 30197-00100, Kenya;
| | - Sara Benitez Majano
- Inequalities in Cancer Outcomes Network, Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK; (A.B.); (M.A.L.F.); (S.B.M.); (B.R.); (E.N.N.)
| | - Bernard Rachet
- Inequalities in Cancer Outcomes Network, Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK; (A.B.); (M.A.L.F.); (S.B.M.); (B.R.); (E.N.N.)
| | - Edmund Njeru Njagi
- Inequalities in Cancer Outcomes Network, Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK; (A.B.); (M.A.L.F.); (S.B.M.); (B.R.); (E.N.N.)
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Abstract
Abdominal pain is the most common chief complaint in the Emergency Department. Abdominal pain is caused by a variety of gastrointestinal and nongastrointestinal disorders. Some frequently missed conditions include biliary pathology, appendicitis, diverticulitis, and urogenital pathology. The Emergency Medicine clinician must consider all aspects of the patient's presentation including history, physical examination, laboratory testing, and imaging. If no diagnosis is identified, close reassessment of pain, vital signs, and physical examination are necessary to ensure safe discharge. Strict verbal and written return precautions should be provided to the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maglin Halsey-Nichols
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Houpt Building (Physician Office Building) Suite 1116, 170 Manning Drive- CB-7594, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7594, USA.
| | - Nicole McCoin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Ochsner Medical Center, 1514 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, LA 70121, USA
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Smith MJ, Fernandez MAL, Belot A, Quartagno M, Bonaventure A, Majano SB, Rachet B, Njagi EN. Investigating the inequalities in route to diagnosis amongst patients with diffuse large B-cell or follicular lymphoma in England. Br J Cancer 2021; 125:1299-1307. [PMID: 34389805 PMCID: PMC8548410 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01523-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diagnostic delay is associated with lower chances of cancer survival. Underlying comorbidities are known to affect the timely diagnosis of cancer. Diffuse large B-cell (DLBCL) and follicular lymphomas (FL) are primarily diagnosed amongst older patients, who are more likely to have comorbidities. Characteristics of clinical commissioning groups (CCG) are also known to impact diagnostic delay. We assess the association between comorbidities and diagnostic delay amongst patients with DLBCL or FL in England during 2005-2013. METHODS Multivariable generalised linear mixed-effect models were used to assess the main association. Empirical Bayes estimates of the random effects were used to explore between-cluster variation. The latent normal joint modelling multiple imputation approach was used to account for partially observed variables. RESULTS We included 30,078 and 15,551 patients diagnosed with DLBCL or FL, respectively. Amongst patients from the same CCG, having multimorbidity was strongly associated with the emergency route to diagnosis (DLBCL: odds ratio 1.56, CI 1.40-1.73; FL: odds ratio 1.80, CI 1.45-2.23). Amongst DLBCL patients, the diagnostic delay was possibly correlated with CCGs that had higher population densities. CONCLUSIONS Underlying comorbidity is associated with diagnostic delay amongst patients with DLBCL or FL. Results suggest a possible correlation between CCGs with higher population densities and diagnostic delay of aggressive lymphomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Smith
- Inequalities in Cancer Outcomes Network, Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Miguel Angel Luque Fernandez
- Inequalities in Cancer Outcomes Network, Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Noncommunicable Disease and Cancer Epidemiology Group, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada, Ibs.GRANADA, Andalusian School of Public Health, Granada, Spain
| | - Aurélien Belot
- Inequalities in Cancer Outcomes Network, Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Matteo Quartagno
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit, Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Audrey Bonaventure
- CRESS, Université de Paris, INSERM, UMR 1153, Epidemiology of Childhood and Adolescent Cancers Team, Villejuif, France
| | - Sara Benitez Majano
- Inequalities in Cancer Outcomes Network, Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Bernard Rachet
- Inequalities in Cancer Outcomes Network, Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Edmund Njeru Njagi
- Inequalities in Cancer Outcomes Network, Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Michalopoulou E, Matthes KL, Karavasiloglou N, Wanner M, Limam M, Korol D, Held L, Rohrmann S. Impact of comorbidities at diagnosis on the 10-year colorectal cancer net survival: A population-based study. Cancer Epidemiol 2021; 73:101962. [PMID: 34051687 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2021.101962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is established that comorbidities negatively influence colorectal cancer (CRC)-specific survival. Only few studies have used the relative survival (RS) setting to estimate this association, although RS has been proven particularly useful considering the inaccuracy in death certification. This study aimed to investigate the impact of non-cancer comorbidities at CRC diagnosis on net survival, using cancer registry data. METHODS We included 1076 CRC patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2001 in the canton of Zurich. The number and severity of comorbidities was expressed using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Multiple imputation was performed to account for missing information and 10-year net survival was estimated by modeling the excess hazards of death due to CRC, using flexible parametric models. RESULTS After imputation, approximately 35 % of the patients were affected by comorbidities. These appeared to decrease the 10-year net survival; the estimated excess hazard ratio for patients with one mild comorbidity was 2.14 (95 % CI 1.60-2.86), and for patients with one more severe or more than one comorbidity was 2.43 (95 % CI 1.77-3.34), compared to patients without comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis suggested that non-cancer comorbidities at CRC diagnosis significantly decrease the 10-year net survival. Future studies should estimate net survival of CRC including comorbidities as prognostic factor and use a RS framework to overcome the uncertainty in death certification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleftheria Michalopoulou
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 84, 8001, Zurich, Switzerland; Cancer Registry Zurich, Zug, Schwyz and Schaffhausen, University Hospital Zurich, Vogelsangstrasse 10, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Katarina Luise Matthes
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 84, 8001, Zurich, Switzerland; Cancer Registry Zurich, Zug, Schwyz and Schaffhausen, University Hospital Zurich, Vogelsangstrasse 10, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland; Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nena Karavasiloglou
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 84, 8001, Zurich, Switzerland; Cancer Registry Zurich, Zug, Schwyz and Schaffhausen, University Hospital Zurich, Vogelsangstrasse 10, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Miriam Wanner
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 84, 8001, Zurich, Switzerland; Cancer Registry Zurich, Zug, Schwyz and Schaffhausen, University Hospital Zurich, Vogelsangstrasse 10, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Manuela Limam
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 84, 8001, Zurich, Switzerland; Cancer Registry Zurich, Zug, Schwyz and Schaffhausen, University Hospital Zurich, Vogelsangstrasse 10, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dimitri Korol
- Cancer Registry Zurich, Zug, Schwyz and Schaffhausen, University Hospital Zurich, Vogelsangstrasse 10, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Leonhard Held
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 84, 8001, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Rohrmann
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 84, 8001, Zurich, Switzerland; Cancer Registry Zurich, Zug, Schwyz and Schaffhausen, University Hospital Zurich, Vogelsangstrasse 10, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland.
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El Hadidi A, Al-Shamiah A, Hosni A, Hosni Garieb M, Al-Jasser M, Al-Mutairi B. When simple hernia is not that simple: Treatment of concomitant pathology in acute care surgery, a case report. Int J Surg Case Rep 2020; 77:367-370. [PMID: 33217655 PMCID: PMC7683214 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2020.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Highlighting the possibility of concurrent double pathology in acute care surgery. Conflicting clinical features can delay the diagnosis and alter the management. High index od suspicious is paramount in the interpretation of patient findings. In comorbid patients, we can expand the indication of radiology in small ventral hernia. One-stage colonic resection is still feasible in acute colonic obstruction even in.
Introduction Obstructed colon cancer is not an uncommon surgical emergency. Many other surgical diseases may overlap their presenting symptoms. This paper aims to report a colon cancer case with delayed diagnosis due to a long-standing para-umbilical hernia (PUH). Case report 60-year-old female patient presented to our emergency department (ED) with an obstructed PUH. The patient underwent watchful conservative management many times before due to associated comorbidities. This history of recurrent intestinal obstruction and incomplete regain of regular bowel habits after every hospital admission raises the possibility for concealed pathology. Further investigations, including computed tomography (CT), revealed a suspicion of an obstructed malignant mass at the colon's splenic flexure accompanied with complete bowel obstruction. The patient and their family consulted for exploratory laparotomy and the possibility of stoma formation. The intra-operative finding was constant with a small ventral defect, and a dilated bowel loops up to a left colon transition zone. We achieved left hemicolectomy with a primary anastomosis after intra-operative bowel lavage. The postoperative period was uneventfully, and the patient was discharged home after seven days of admission. Follow up in the outpatient surgical clinic for three months revealed no recordable complications. The patient had transferred to the oncology center for the completion of adjuvant therapy. Discussion This case had a small PUH with recurrent obstruction. The delay in its management was due to the patient's comorbidities. However, the incomplete resolution of patient symptoms during watchful oversight increases the likelihood of another hidden pathology that required further investigation. We expanded CT indication in such patients to find the exact cause of patient symptoms, especially chronic constipation and incomplete recovery after every admission. While concurrent pathology is the norm in elective surgery and can be dealt with safely, in non-elective surgery, a thorough search about the patient's exact complaints is mandatory to decrease morbidity and mortality rates. Conclusion In the same patient, both colon cancer and abdominal wall hernias can produce conflicting symptoms and delay diagnosis. However, with a high index of suspicion and correlation of patient symptoms, can be safely managed without morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amro El Hadidi
- Department of Surgery, Mansoura University Hospital, Mansoura University, Egypt; Department of Surgery, Buriadah Central Hospital, Al-Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia.
| | | | - Abdelgafar Hosni
- Department of Surgery, Buriadah Central Hospital, Al-Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Mohammed Al-Jasser
- Department of Surgery, Buriadah Central Hospital, Al-Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bandar Al-Mutairi
- Department of Surgery, Buriadah Central Hospital, Al-Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia
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Renzi C, Lyratzopoulos G. Comorbidity and the diagnosis of symptomatic-but-as-yet-undiagnosed cancer. Br J Gen Pract 2020; 70:e598-e599. [PMID: 32855148 PMCID: PMC7449439 DOI: 10.3399/bjgp20x712193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Renzi
- Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes (ECHO) Group, University College London, London, UK
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McWilliams L. An Overview of Treating People with Comorbid Dementia: Implications for Cancer Care. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2020; 32:562-568. [PMID: 32718761 DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2020.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
With increasing prevalence of both cancer and dementia in the UK, due to an ageing population, oncology healthcare professionals will experience higher numbers of people with both conditions. As dementia is highly heterogeneous and symptoms vary from individual to individual, it presents specific challenges for healthcare professionals, people with dementia and caregivers alike. This overview will describe current theories that explain the association between cancer and dementia, report prevalence rates and highlight the evidence on the impact of having a diagnosis of dementia on outcomes along the cancer pathway from cancer symptom detection to cancer treatment outcomes. It suggests that although prevalence rates of cancer and dementia are typically lower than other comorbidities, people with cancer and dementia have poorer cancer-related outcomes. This includes later stage cancer diagnoses, fewer cancer treatment options and an increased risk of death compared with people who have cancer alone or other comorbid conditions. Considerations for cancer treatment decision making and management are proposed to improve patient experience for this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- L McWilliams
- Division of Psychology & Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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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: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [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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