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Lyhne Christensen N, Gouliaev A, McPhail S, Lyratzopoulos G, Riis Rasmussen T, Jensen H. Lung cancer among the Elderly in Denmark - A comprehensive population-based cohort study. Lung Cancer 2024; 191:107555. [PMID: 38564919 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2024.107555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Lung cancer primarily occurs in the elderly with a median age at diagnosis in Denmark of 73 years. However, elderly patients are under-represented in clinical trials as well as in screening studies. In this study, we aim to characterize elderly patients with lung cancer and explore the diagnostic intensity, treatment patterns, and survival. METHOD Patients diagnosed with lung cancer between 2014 and 2017 according to the Danish Cancer Registry, and with clinical information in the Danish Lung Cancer Registry were included. Patient information was linked by the unique social identification number to information from Statistics Denmark. RESULTS We included n = 17,835 patients in this study, of whom 2,871 (16.1 %) were 80 years or older. Fewer elderly patients had lung biopsies (47 % vs 53 %) or mediastinal procedures (34 % vs 26 %), compared to the younger patients (p < 0.001). Fewer elderly patients had treatment registration (60 % vs 85 %), and fewer received treatment with curative intent (23 % vs 42 %) compared to patients younger than 80 years (p < 0.001). The elderly patients had 2.1 (CI 95 % 1.9 - 2.2) times higher odds of dying within 12 months after diagnosis than younger patients. CONCLUSION The diagnostic intensity among lung cancer patients aged eighty years or above is lower compared to younger patients. Being elderly is associated with not undergoing surgical treatment or treatment with curative intent. Across all treatment groups, being older than eighty years of age was associated with an adverse prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Lyhne Christensen
- Department of Respiratory Diseases and Allergy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Anja Gouliaev
- Department of Respiratory Diseases and Allergy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sean McPhail
- National Disease Registration Service, NHS England, Leeds, UK
| | - Georgios Lyratzopoulos
- Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes (ECHO), Department of Behavioral Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care (IEHC), University College London, London, UK
| | - Torben Riis Rasmussen
- Department of Respiratory Diseases and Allergy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henry Jensen
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Denmark
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Virgilsen LF, Jensen H, Falborg AZ, Prior A, Pedersen AF, Vedsted P. Psychiatric disorders and the cancer diagnostic process in general practice: a combined questionnaire and register study exploring the patients' experiences in Denmark. Scand J Prim Health Care 2024; 42:156-169. [PMID: 38149909 PMCID: PMC10851816 DOI: 10.1080/02813432.2023.2296944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Patients with psychiatric disorders are at risk of experiencing suboptimal cancer diagnostics and treatment. This study investigates how this patient group perceives the cancer diagnostic process in general practice. DESIGN Cross-sectional study using questionnaire and register data. SETTING General practice in Denmark. SUBJECTS Patients diagnosed with cancer in late 2016 completed a questionnaire about their experiences with their general practitioner (GP) in the cancer diagnostic process (n = 3411). Information on pre-existing psychiatric disorders was obtained from register data on psychiatric hospital contacts and primary care treated psychiatric disorders through psychotropic medications. Logistic regression was used to analyse the association between psychiatric disorders and the patients' experiences. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Patients' experiences, including cancer worry, feeling being taken seriously, and the perceived time between booking an appointment and the first GP consultation.[Box: see text]. RESULTS A total of 13% of patients had an indication of a psychiatric disorder. This group more often perceived the time interval as too short between the first booking of a consultation and the first GP consultation. Patients with primary care treated psychiatric disorders were more likely to worry about cancer at the first presentation and to share this concern with their GP compared with patients without psychiatric disorders. We observed no statistically significant association between patients with psychiatric disorders and perceiving the waiting time to referral from general practice, being taken seriously, trust in the GP's abilities, and the patients' knowledge of the process following the GP referral. CONCLUSION The patients' experiences with the cancer diagnostic process in general practice did not vary largely between patients with and without psychiatric disorders. Worrying about cancer may be a particular concern for patients with primary care treated psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | - Anders Prior
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Anette Fischer Pedersen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
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Jensen H, Virgilsen LF, Rasmussen LA, Qvortrup C, Jørgensen TL, Vedsted P, Frederiksen H. Age-related differences in cancer biology in older patients. Ugeskr Laeger 2024; 186:V07230474. [PMID: 38305318 DOI: 10.61409/v07230474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Older cancer patients are more often than younger diagnosed via an unplanned hospital admission which may negatively influence the prognosis. An increasing number of cancers is expected due to ageing of populations, and these phenomena are likely to result in an increase in older cancer patients with multiple complications, extended hospital stays, and reduced quality of life and survival. In this review, we present recent data about routes to cancer diagnosis for older vs younger patients to emphasize that diagnostic pathways need improvements to avoid an increase in unplanned hospital admissions due to cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Jensen
- Regionernes Kliniske Kvalitetsudviklingsprogram (RKKP)
| | | | | | - Camilla Qvortrup
- Onkologisk Afdeling, Københavns Universitetshospital - Rigshospitalet
| | - Trine Lembrecht Jørgensen
- Onkologisk Afdeling, Odense Universitetshospital
- Klinisk Institut, Syddansk Universitet
- Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense Universitetshospital
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Forskningsenheden for Almen Praksis, Aarhus
- Institut for Klinisk Medicin, Universitetsklinik for Innovative Patientforløb, Aarhus Universitet
| | - Henrik Frederiksen
- Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense Universitetshospital
- Hæmatologisk Afdeling, Odense Universitetshospital
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Ibfelt EH, Jensen H, Vrou Offersen B, Bang Hansen M, Møller H, Christiansen P, Bech Olesen T. Diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in Denmark during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationwide population-based study. Acta Oncol 2023; 62:1749-1756. [PMID: 37750293 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2023.2259598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic was a global health crisis with population-wide behavioural restrictions imposed worldwide to reduce transmission of infection and to limit the potential burden on the healthcare systems. We examined whether there was any change in the diagnosis or treatment of breast cancer during the pandemic as compared to previous years. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study population comprised all women aged ≥18 years diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015-2021 with data obtained from the clinical quality registry of the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group (DBCG). Data on socioeconomic factors were retrieved from Statistics Denmark. Prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated from a generalised linear model (GLM) with a log link for the Poisson family with robust standard errors (SE) of each outcome, using the COVID-19 pandemic period in Denmark as the exposure of interest. RESULTS In total, 30,598 breast cancers were diagnosed during the study period. There was a small decrease (4.5%) in the total number of breast cancer cases in 2020 compared with previous years. During the pandemic, a lower proportion of the patients diagnosed with breast cancer had a short educational level (28.5 vs. 26.9%; PR = 0.91; 95% CI: 0.88-0.95), a low income (20.5 vs. 19.0%; PR = 0.90; 0.85-0.95) and fewer than expected in the age group 60-69 years (27.8 vs. 25.3; PR = 0.90; 0.86-0.94) were diagnosed, as compared with the pre-pandemic period. No difference in type of surgery or tumour size was observed. A higher proportion of patients received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (49.0 vs 55.0%; PR = 1.15; 1.06-1.24), whereas a lower proportion received adjuvant chemotherapy (93.5 vs 85.6%; PR = 0.92; 0.90-0.93) during the pandemic, compared with the pre-pandemic period. CONCLUSIONS During the pandemic, a small decrease in the number of breast cancer diagnoses was observed particularly among socially disadvantaged groups. Overall, the quality of breast cancer treatment was maintained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Else Helene Ibfelt
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henry Jensen
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Vrou Offersen
- Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital - Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Maiken Bang Hansen
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Copenhagen, Denmark
- Palliative Care Research Department, Bispebjerg Hospital, Kobenhavn, Denmark
| | - Henrik Møller
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Copenhagen, Denmark
- Danish Centre for Health Service Research, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Peer Christiansen
- Department of Plastic and Breast Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group - DBCG, Denmark
| | - Tina Bech Olesen
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Copenhagen, Denmark
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Weinberger Rosen A, Jensen H, Olesen TB, Møller H, Jensen JW, Gögenur I. Socioeconomic factors and colorectal cancer incidence, stage and quality of care in Denmark during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cancer Epidemiol 2023; 86:102447. [PMID: 37633057 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2023.102447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
AIM Efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic might reduce accessibility for diagnostics and treatment of colorectal cancer. A universal public healthcare system may modify the availability of healthcare services. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the quality of care for patients with colorectal cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD Nationwide data from the Danish Colorectal Cancer database and Statistics Denmark on the number of new diagnoses, disease and health behaviour measures, socioeconomic measures, clinical quality measures and time to adjuvant chemotherapy were retrieved. Measures during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the different pandemic periods were compared to the pre-pandemic period. RESULT In 2020, 4035 patients were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, compared with 4346 in 2019 and 4496 in 2018. During the pandemic, patients were more likely to have UICC stage I disease (25.0% vs 23.4%; PR=1.07(95% confidence interval: 1.00;1.15)), belonging to the highest income quintile (PR=1.06(0.98;1.14), receive surgery with a curative aim (PR=1.02(1.01;1.03)), and to be operated on by a specialist (PR=1.07(1.06;1.08)), and less likely to be 60-69 years of age (PR=0.93(0.86;1.00)), non-western immigrants (PR=0.93(0.86;1.00)), diagnosed by screening (PR=0.79(0.73;0.86)) and receiving an acute operation (PR=0.77(0.66;0.91)). Furthermore, during the pandemic, 11.4% fewer patients waited 28 days or longer for initiation of adjuvant oncological treatment. CONCLUSION Based on nationwide data, we observed no major adverse effect on disease measures or clinical quality in a tax funded health care system. However, small changes in the socioeconomic composition of the patient population were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Henry Jensen
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Denmark.
| | - Tina Bech Olesen
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Denmark
| | - Henrik Møller
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Denmark; Danish Center for Clinical Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Denmark
| | - Jens Winther Jensen
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Denmark
| | - Ismail Gögenur
- Center for Surgical Science, Zealand University Hospital, Denmark; Institute for Clinical Medicine, Copenhagen University, Denmark
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Rasmussen LA, Jensen H, Pedersen AF, Vedsted P. Healthcare use and fear of recurrence in adult cancer survivors at 2.5 years after a cancer diagnosis: a nationwide register study in Denmark. J Cancer Surviv 2023:10.1007/s11764-023-01459-1. [PMID: 37704918 DOI: 10.1007/s11764-023-01459-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the association between fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and healthcare use in general practice among cancer survivors. METHODS We linked nationwide register data to survey data on FCR in cancer survivors at 2.5 years after a cancer diagnosis. Multiple regression models were used to analyse the association between high FCR level and quartiles of healthcare use at 18-30 months before the cancer diagnosis (habitual healthcare use) and between high FCR level and healthcare use at 18-30 months after the cancer diagnosis (survivorship healthcare use). RESULTS We included 1538 cancer survivors in the study. High habitual healthcare use was associated with a high level of FCR (odds ratio = 2.07 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.36-3.15)) for the 4th quartile of healthcare use compared to the 1st quartile. A high FCR score was also associated with higher healthcare use during cancer survivorship (incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.26 (95% CI: 1.14-1.40)). This association remained statistically significant when adjusting for habitual healthcare use (IRR = 1.20 (95% CI: 1.09-1.33)). CONCLUSION High healthcare use before the cancer diagnosis was associated with high FCR during survivorship. This indicates that FCR is partly explained by a general (pre-diagnostic) health concern. High FCR predicted high healthcare use during cancer survivorship, even when adjusting for habitual healthcare use. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS Our results suggest that FCR in cancer survivors is triggered by a general high level of health concern, and the cancer diagnosis may further exacerbate this concern.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Unit for General Practice, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
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Olesen TB, Jensen H, Møller H, Jensen JW, Andersen B, Vejborg I, Njor SH. Nationwide mammography screening participation in Denmark during the COVID-19 pandemic: An observational study. eLife 2023; 12:e83541. [PMID: 37589381 PMCID: PMC10513477 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In most of the world, the mammography screening programmes were paused at the start of the pandemic, whilst mammography screening continued in Denmark. We examined the mammography screening participation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark. Methods The study population comprised all women aged 50-69 years old invited to participate in mammography screening from 2016 to 2021 in Denmark based on data from the Danish Quality Database for Mammography Screening in combination with population-based registries. Using a generalised linear model, we estimated prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of mammography screening participation within 90, 180, and 365 d since invitation during the pandemic in comparison with the previous years adjusting for age, year and month of invitation. Results The study comprised 1,828,791 invitations among 847,766 women. Before the pandemic, 80.2% of invitations resulted in participation in mammography screening within 90 d, 82.7% within 180 d, and 83.1% within 365 d. At the start of the pandemic, the participation in screening within 90 d was reduced to 69.9% for those invited in pre-lockdown and to 76.5% for those invited in first lockdown. Extending the length of follow-up time to 365 d only a minor overall reduction was observed (PR = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.93-0.95 in pre-lockdown and PR = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.96-0.97 in first lockdown). A lower participation was, however, seen among immigrants and among women with a low income. Conclusions The short-term participation in mammography screening was reduced at the start of the pandemic, whilst only a minor reduction in the overall participation was observed with longer follow-up time, indicating that women postponed screening. Some groups of women, nonetheless, had a lower participation, indicating that the social inequity in screening participation was exacerbated during the pandemic. Funding The study was funded by the Danish Cancer Society Scientific Committee (grant number R321-A17417) and the Danish regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Bech Olesen
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program – National Clinical Registries (RKKP)Aarhus NDenmark
| | - Henry Jensen
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program – National Clinical Registries (RKKP)Aarhus NDenmark
| | - Henrik Møller
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program – National Clinical Registries (RKKP)Aarhus NDenmark
| | - Jens Winther Jensen
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program – National Clinical Registries (RKKP)Aarhus NDenmark
| | - Berit Andersen
- University Research Clinic for Cancer Screening, Department of Public Health Programmes, Randers Regional HospitalRandersDenmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Ilse Vejborg
- Department of Breast Examinations, Copenhagen University HospitalCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Sisse H Njor
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program – National Clinical Registries (RKKP)Aarhus NDenmark
- University Research Clinic for Cancer Screening, Department of Public Health Programmes, Randers Regional HospitalRandersDenmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
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Hansen MBB, Groenvold M, Adsersen M, Jensen H, Ibfelt EH, Petersen MA, Neergaard MA, Møller H, Olesen TB. Palliative care need screening and specialised referrals fell during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationwide register-based study. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2023:spcare-2023-004324. [PMID: 37098445 DOI: 10.1136/spcare-2023-004324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Few studies have examined whether access to, and quality of, specialised palliative care changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated changes in access to and quality of specialised palliative care during the pandemic in Denmark compared to previously. METHODS An observational study using data from the Danish Palliative Care Database combined with other nationwide registries was conducted, including 69 696 patients referred to palliative care services in Denmark from 2018 to 2022. Study outcomes included number of referrals and admissions to palliative care, and the proportions of patients fulfilling four palliative care quality indicators. The indicators assessed admissions among referred, waiting time from referral to admission, symptom screening using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionaire-Core-15-Palliative Care (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL) questionnaire at admission, and discussion at multidisciplinary conference. Logistic regression analysed whether the probability of fulfilling each indicator differed between the pandemic period and pre-pandemic, while adjusting for possible confounders. RESULT Number of referrals and admissions to specialised palliative care were lower during the pandemic. The odds for being admitted within 10 days of referral was higher during the pandemic (OR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.32 to 1.45) whereas the odds for answering the EORTC questionnaire (0.88; 95% CI: 0.85 to 0.92) and for being discussed at multidisciplinary conference (0.93; 95% CI: 0.89 to 0.97) were lower compared with pre-pandemic. CONCLUSIONS Fewer patients were referred to specialised palliative care during the pandemic, and fewer were screened for palliative care needs. In future pandemics or similar scenarios, it is important to pay special attention to referral rates and to maintain the same high level of specialised palliative care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiken Bang Bang Hansen
- The Research Unit, Department of Palliative Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Cancer and Cancer Screening, The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mogens Groenvold
- The Research Unit, Department of Palliative Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Copenhagen University, Copehagen, Denmark
| | - Mathilde Adsersen
- The Research Unit, Department of Palliative Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henry Jensen
- Department of Resources and Innovation, The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Else Helene Ibfelt
- Department of Cancer and Cancer Screening, The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Aagaard Petersen
- The Research Unit, Department of Palliative Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mette Asbjørn Neergaard
- Palliative Care Unit, Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Midtjylland, Denmark
| | - Henrik Møller
- Department of Cancer and Cancer Screening, The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tina Bech Olesen
- Department of Resources and Innovation, The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Copenhagen, Denmark
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Olesen TB, Rasmussen TR, Jakobsen E, Engberg H, Hilberg O, Møller H, Jensen JW, Jensen H. Diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer in Denmark during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cancer Epidemiol 2023; 85:102373. [PMID: 37172520 PMCID: PMC10123358 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2023.102373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We examined the number of lung cancers diagnosed, the quality of care and the socio-economic and clinical characteristics among patients with lung cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to previous years. METHODS We included all patients ≥ 18 years old diagnosed with lung cancer from 01 January 2018 to 31 August 2021 as registered in the Danish Lung Cancer Registry. Using a generalised linear model, we estimated prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the associations between the pandemic and socioeconomic and clinical factors, and indicators of quality. RESULTS We included 18,113 patients with lung cancer (82.0% non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)), which was similar to the preceding years, although a decline in NSCLC cases occurred during the first lockdown period in 2020. No difference in distribution of income or educational level was observed. No difference was observed in the quality of treatment - as measured by curative intent, proportion of patients resected or who died within 90 days of diagnosis. CONCLUSION Using nationwide population-based data, our study reassuringly shows no adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis, socio-economic characteristics nor quality of treatment of lung cancer, as compared to the preceding years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Bech Olesen
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program, National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Denmark
| | - Torben Riis Rasmussen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Department of Respiratory Diseases and Allergy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Erik Jakobsen
- Department of Thoracic, Cardiac and Vascular Surgery, Odense University Hospital (OUH), Odense, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Henriette Engberg
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program, National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Denmark
| | - Ole Hilberg
- Department of Internal Medicine, Lillebaelt Hospital, Vejle, Denmark; Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Henrik Møller
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program, National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Denmark
| | - Jens Winther Jensen
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program, National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Denmark
| | - Henry Jensen
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program, National Clinical Registries (RKKP), Denmark.
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de Thurah A, Jensen H, Maribo T, Jensen MB, Sandbæk A, Hauge EM, Rasmussen LA. Use of primary health care and radiological imaging preceding a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis: a nationwide cohort study in Denmark. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2023; 62:555-564. [PMID: 35713514 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore health-care use in the 12 months preceding a diagnosis of RA in Denmark. METHODS We conducted a population-based cohort study using data from national registries. Every patient diagnosed with RA in 2014-18 was matched to 10 reference individuals without RA from the Danish background population. Health-care use was defined as contacts to general practitioners, contacts to private practicing physiotherapists, and X-rays of hands and/or feet performed in primary or secondary care. We estimated the monthly contact rates for patients and references in the 12 months preceding the diagnosis, and we compared incidence rates for health-care use in each month between the two groups while adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidity. RESULTS We included 7427 patients with RA and 74 270 references. Patients with RA had increasing contact rates with general practitioners and physiotherapists from 6 to 8 months before the diagnosis. Compared with references, women with RA had statistically significantly more contacts to general practitioners and physiotherapists during all 12 months. A similar contact pattern was seen in men, albeit less distinct. The number of X-rays increased slightly from 8 months before the diagnosis, with a steep increase in the last 3 months. CONCLUSION Increased contacts to general practitioners and physiotherapists were seen in all 12 months preceding the RA diagnosis, intensifying in the last 6 to 8 months. Imaging increased from 3 months before the diagnosis. This indicates an opportunity to expedite referral to specialist care and ensure earlier diagnosis of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette de Thurah
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University
| | | | - Thomas Maribo
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University.,DEFACTUM, Central Denmark Region, Aarhus
| | | | - Annelli Sandbæk
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University.,Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ellen-Margrethe Hauge
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University
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Olesen TB, Jensen H, Møller H, Jensen JW, Andersen B, Rasmussen M. Nation-wide participation in FIT-based colorectal cancer screening in Denmark during the COVID-19 pandemic: An observational study. eLife 2023; 12:81808. [PMID: 36695411 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Worldwide, most colorectal cancer screening programmes were paused at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst the Danish faecal immunochemical test (FIT)-based programme continued without pausing. We examined colorectal cancer screening participation and compliance with subsequent colonoscopy in Denmark throughout the pandemic. Methods: We used data from the Danish Colorectal Cancer Screening Database among individuals aged 50-74 years old invited to participate in colorectal cancer screening from 2018-2021 combined with population-wide registries. Using a generalised linear model, we estimated prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of colorectal cancer screening participation within 90 days since invitation and compliance with colonoscopy within 60 days since a positive FIT test during the pandemic in comparison with the previous years adjusting for age, month and year of invitation. Results: Altogether, 3,133,947 invitations were sent out to 1,928,725 individuals and there were 94,373 positive FIT tests (in 92,848 individuals) during the study period. Before the pandemic, 60.7% participated in screening within 90 days. A minor reduction in participation was observed at the start of the pandemic (PR=0.95; 95% CI: 0.94-0.96 in pre-lockdown and PR=0.85; 95% CI: 0.85-0.86 in 1st lockdown) corresponding to a participation rate of 54.9% during pre-lockdown and 53.0% during 1st lockdown. This was followed by a 5-10% increased participation in screening corresponding to a participation rate of up to 64.9%. The largest increase in participation was observed among 55-59 year olds and among immigrants. The compliance with colonoscopy within 60 days was 89.9% before the pandemic. A slight reduction was observed during 1st lockdown (PR=0.96; 95% CI: 0.93-0.98), where after it resumed to normal levels. Conclusions: Participation in the Danish FIT-based colorectal cancer screening programme and subsequent compliance to colonoscopy after a positive FIT result was only slightly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding: The study was funded by the Danish Cancer Society Scientific Committee (grant number R321-A17417) and the Danish regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Bech Olesen
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical Registries, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Henry Jensen
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical Registries, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Henrik Møller
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical Registries, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Jens Winther Jensen
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical Registries, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Berit Andersen
- Department of Public Health Programmes, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers, Denmark
| | - Morten Rasmussen
- The Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Olesen TB, Jensen H, Møller H, Jensen JW, Waldstrøm M, Andersen B. Participation in the nationwide cervical cancer screening programme in Denmark during the COVID-19 pandemic: An observational study. eLife 2023; 12:81522. [PMID: 36661213 PMCID: PMC9904756 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In contrast to most of the world, the cervical cancer screening programme continued in Denmark throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We examined the cervical cancer screening participation during the pandemic in Denmark. Methods We included all women aged 23-64 y old invited to participate in cervical cancer screening from 2015 to 2021 as registered in the Cervical Cancer Screening Database combined with population-wide registries. Using a generalised linear model, we estimated prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% CIs of cervical cancer screening participation within 90, 180, and 365 d since invitation during the pandemic in comparison with the previous years adjusting for age, year, and month of invitation. Results Altogether, 2,220,000 invited women (in 1,466,353 individuals) were included in the study. Before the pandemic, 36% of invited women participated in screening within 90 d, 54% participated within 180 d, and 65% participated within 365 d. At the start of the pandemic, participation in cervical cancer screening within 90 d was lower (pre-lockdown PR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.56-0.59 and first lockdown PR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.75-0.77) compared with the previous years. A reduction in participation within 180 d was also seen during pre-lockdown (PR = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.88-0.90) and first lockdown (PR = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.91-0.93). Allowing for 365 d to participation, only a slight reduction (3%) in participation was seen with slightly lower participation in some groups (immigrants, low education, and low income). Conclusions The overall participation in cervical cancer screening was reduced during the early phase of the pandemic. However, the decline almost diminished with longer follow-up time. Funding The study was funded by the Danish Cancer Society Scientific Committee (grant number R321-A17417) and the Danish regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Bech Olesen
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical RegistriesAarhusDenmark
| | - Henry Jensen
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical RegistriesAarhusDenmark
| | - Henrik Møller
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical RegistriesAarhusDenmark
| | - Jens Winther Jensen
- The Danish Clinical Quality Program - National Clinical RegistriesAarhusDenmark
| | - Marianne Waldstrøm
- Department of Pathology, Lillebaelt HospitalVejleDenmark
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern DenmarkOdenseDenmark
| | - Berit Andersen
- University Research Clinic for Cancer Screening, Department of Public Health Programmes,Randers Regional HospitalAarhusDenmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
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Rasmussen LA, Christensen NL, Winther-Larsen A, Dalton SO, Virgilsen LF, Jensen H, Vedsted P. A Validated Register-Based Algorithm to Identify Patients Diagnosed with Recurrence of Surgically Treated Stage I Lung Cancer in Denmark. Clin Epidemiol 2023; 15:251-261. [PMID: 36890800 PMCID: PMC9986467 DOI: 10.2147/clep.s396738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Recurrence of cancer is not routinely registered in Danish national health registers. This study aimed to develop and validate a register-based algorithm to identify patients diagnosed with recurrent lung cancer and to estimate the accuracy of the identified diagnosis date. Material and Methods Patients with early-stage lung cancer treated with surgery were included in the study. Recurrence indicators were diagnosis and procedure codes recorded in the Danish National Patient Register and pathology results recorded in the Danish National Pathology Register. Information from CT scans and medical records served as the gold standard to assess the accuracy of the algorithm. Results The final population consisted of 217 patients; 72 (33%) had recurrence according to the gold standard. The median follow-up time since primary lung cancer diagnosis was 29 months (interquartile interval: 18-46). The algorithm for identifying a recurrence reached a sensitivity of 83.3% (95% CI: 72.7-91.1), a specificity of 93.8% (95% CI: 88.5-97.1), and a positive predictive value of 87.0% (95% CI: 76.7-93.9). The algorithm identified 70% of the recurrences within 60 days of the recurrence date registered by the gold standard method. The positive predictive value of the algorithm decreased to 70% when the algorithm was simulated in a population with a recurrence rate of 15%. Conclusion The proposed algorithm demonstrated good performance in a population with 33% recurrences over a median of 29 months. It can be used to identify patients diagnosed with recurrent lung cancer, and it may be a valuable tool for future research in this field. However, a lower positive predictive value is seen when applying the algorithm in populations with low recurrence rates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anne Winther-Larsen
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Susanne Oksbjerg Dalton
- Survivorship and Inequality in Cancer, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Oncology & Palliative Care, Zealand University Hospital, Næstved, Denmark
| | | | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
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Vedsted P, Weller D, Zalounina Falborg A, Jensen H, Kalsi J, Brewster D, Lin Y, Gavin A, Barisic A, Grunfeld E, Lambe M, Malmberg M, Turner D, Harland E, Hawryluk B, Law RJ, Neal RD, White V, Bergin R, Harrison S, Menon U. Diagnostic pathways for breast cancer in 10 International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP) jurisdictions: an international comparative cohort study based on questionnaire and registry data. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e059669. [PMID: 36521881 PMCID: PMC9756230 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A growing body of evidence suggests longer time between symptom onset and start of treatment affects breast cancer prognosis. To explore this association, the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership Module 4 examined differences in breast cancer diagnostic pathways in 10 jurisdictions across Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the UK. SETTING Primary care in 10 jurisdictions. PARTICIPANT Data were collated from 3471 women aged >40 diagnosed for the first time with breast cancer and surveyed between 2013 and 2015. Data were supplemented by feedback from their primary care physicians (PCPs), cancer treatment specialists and available registry data. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Patient, primary care, diagnostic and treatment intervals. RESULTS Overall, 56% of women reported symptoms to primary care, with 66% first noticing lumps or breast changes. PCPs reported 77% presented with symptoms, of whom 81% were urgently referred with suspicion of cancer (ranging from 62% to 92%; Norway and Victoria). Ranges for median patient, primary care and diagnostic intervals (days) for symptomatic patients were 3-29 (Denmark and Sweden), 0-20 (seven jurisdictions and Ontario) and 8-29 (Denmark and Wales). Ranges for median treatment and total intervals (days) for all patients were 15-39 (Norway, Victoria and Manitoba) and 4-78 days (Sweden, Victoria and Ontario). The 10% longest waits ranged between 101 and 209 days (Sweden and Ontario). CONCLUSIONS Large international differences in breast cancer diagnostic pathways exist, suggesting some jurisdictions develop more effective strategies to optimise pathways and reduce time intervals. Targeted awareness interventions could also facilitate more timely diagnosis of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Vedsted
- Department for Clinical Medicine, Aarhus Universitet, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - David Weller
- General Practice, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alina Zalounina Falborg
- Department of Public Health, Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Henry Jensen
- Department of Public Health, Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Jatinderpal Kalsi
- Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, University College London, London, UK
| | - David Brewster
- Scottish Registry, Information Services Division, NHS National Services Scotland, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Yulan Lin
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Anna Gavin
- N Ireland Cancer Registry, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | | | - Eva Grunfeld
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mats Lambe
- University Hospital, Regional Cancer Centre of Central Sweden, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Martin Malmberg
- Department of Oncology, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Donna Turner
- Population Oncology, Cancer Care Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Harland
- Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Registry, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Breann Hawryluk
- Patient Navigation, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Rebecca-Jane Law
- North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
| | | | - Victoria White
- CBRC, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Deakin University Faculty of Health, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rebecca Bergin
- Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Usha Menon
- Women's Cancer, University College London, London, UK
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15
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Virgilsen LF, Falborg AZ, Vedsted P, Prior A, Pedersen AF, Jensen H. Unplanned cancer presentation in patients with psychiatric disorders: A nationwide register-based cohort study in Denmark. Cancer Epidemiol 2022; 81:102293. [PMID: 36370657 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2022.102293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Unplanned presentation in the cancer pathway is more common in patients with psychiatric disorders than in patients without. More knowledge about the risk factors for unplanned presentation could help target interventions to ensure earlier diagnosis of cancer in patients with psychiatric disorders. This study aims to estimate the association between patient characteristics (social characteristics and coexisting physical morbidity) and cancer diagnosis following unplanned presentation among cancer patients with psychiatric disorders. We conducted a population-based register study including patients diagnosed with cancer in 2014-2018 and also registered with at least one psychiatric disorder in the included Danish registers (n = 26,005). We used logistic regression to assess patient characteristics associated with an unplanned presentation. Almost one in four symptomatic patients (23.6 %) with pre-existing psychiatric disorders presented unplanned in the cancer trajectory. Unplanned presentation was most common for severe psychiatric disorders, e.g. organic disorders and schizophrenia. Old age, male sex, living alone, low education, physical comorbidity, and non-attendance in primary care were associated with increased odds of unplanned presentation. In conclusion, several characteristics of patients with pre-existing psychiatric disorders were associated with unplanned presentation in the cancer trajectory; for some groups more than 40 % had an unplanned presentation. This information could be used to design targeted interventions for patients with pre-existing psychiatric disorders to ensure earlier diagnosis of cancer in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Bartholins Alle 2, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, 8200 Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Anders Prior
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Bartholins Alle 2, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Anette Fischer Pedersen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Bartholins Alle 2, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, 8200 Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Bartholins Alle 2, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
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16
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Menon U, Weller D, Falborg AZ, Jensen H, Butler J, Barisic A, Knudsen AK, Bergin RJ, Brewster DH, Cairnduff V, Fourkala EO, Gavin AT, Grunfeld E, Harland E, Kalsi J, Law RJ, Lin Y, Turner D, Neal RD, White V, Harrison S, Reguilon I, Lynch C, Vedsted P. Diagnostic routes and time intervals for ovarian cancer in nine international jurisdictions; findings from the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP). Br J Cancer 2022; 127:844-854. [PMID: 35618787 PMCID: PMC9427750 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-01844-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership Module 4 reports the first international comparison of ovarian cancer (OC) diagnosis routes and intervals (symptom onset to treatment start), which may inform previously reported variations in survival and stage. METHODS Data were collated from 1110 newly diagnosed OC patients aged >40 surveyed between 2013 and 2015 across five countries (51-272 per jurisdiction), their primary-care physicians (PCPs) and cancer treatment specialists, supplement by treatment records or clinical databases. Diagnosis routes and time interval differences using quantile regression with reference to Denmark (largest survey response) were calculated. RESULTS There were no significant jurisdictional differences in the proportion diagnosed with symptoms on the Goff Symptom Index (53%; P = 0.179) or National Institute for Health and Care Excellence NG12 guidelines (62%; P = 0.946). Though the main diagnosis route consistently involved primary-care presentation (63-86%; P = 0.068), onward urgent referral rates varied significantly (29-79%; P < 0.001). In most jurisdictions, diagnostic intervals were generally shorter and other intervals, in particular, treatment longer compared to Denmark. CONCLUSION This study highlights key intervals in the diagnostic pathway where improvements could be made. It provides the opportunity to consider the systems and approaches across different jurisdictions that might allow for more timely ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usha Menon
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, Institute of Clinical Trials & Methodology, University College London, London, UK.
| | - David Weller
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - John Butler
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Anne Kari Knudsen
- European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Department of Oncology, Oslo, Norway
- University Hospital and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rebecca J Bergin
- Cancer Epidemiology Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David H Brewster
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Scottish Cancer Registry, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Victoria Cairnduff
- Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Evangelia Ourania Fourkala
- Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, Women's Cancer, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Anna T Gavin
- Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Eva Grunfeld
- Health Services Research Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Harland
- Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Registry, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Jatinderpal Kalsi
- Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, Women's Cancer, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rebecca-Jane Law
- North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research, Bangor University, Wrexham, UK
| | - Yulan Lin
- European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Department of Oncology, Oslo, Norway
| | - Donna Turner
- Population Oncology, Cancer Care Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Richard D Neal
- Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Victoria White
- School of Psychology Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Behavioral Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Samantha Harrison
- International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership, Cancer Research UK, Stratford, UK
| | - Irene Reguilon
- International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership, Cancer Research UK, Stratford, UK
| | - Charlotte Lynch
- International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership, Cancer Research UK, Stratford, UK
| | - Peter Vedsted
- International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership, Cancer Research UK, Stratford, UK
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17
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Rasmussen LA, Jensen H, Pedersen AF, Vedsted P. Fear of cancer recurrence at 2.5 years after a cancer diagnosis: a cross-sectional study in Denmark. Support Care Cancer 2022; 30:9171-9180. [PMID: 36042017 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-07335-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim was to investigate the characteristics of cancer survivors with high levels of fear of cancer recurrence, and how such fear is associated with their needs for care. METHODS This cross-sectional study was based on survey data from Danish cancer survivors at 2.5 years after a cancer diagnosis. These data were linked to nationwide register data. We used the 7-item Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCR7) to measure fear of cancer recurrence, focussing on emotional, cognitive and behavioural reactions to such fear. The FCR7 score was dichotomised at the 75th percentile. A logistic regression model was used to analyse the associations between a high level of fear of cancer recurrence and (1) characteristics of patient and primary cancer and (2) cancer survivors' statements concerning follow-up for cancer. RESULTS We included 1538 cancer survivors in the study. The median FCR7 score was 18 (interquartile interval: 13-21), and 366 (23.8%) respondents had an FCR7 score of > 21, defined as a high level of fear. In the adjusted analyses, a high level of fear was associated with female sex, younger age, comorbidity, advanced tumour stage and negative statements concerning follow-up, including feeling less safe in the follow-up programme. Fear was not related to the professional background of care providers involved in cancer follow-up. CONCLUSION Fear of cancer recurrence was associated with female sex, younger age, comorbidity, advanced tumour stage and discontent with cancer follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Unit for General Practice, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
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18
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Danckert B, Christensen NL, Falborg AZ, Frederiksen H, Lyratzopoulos G, McPhail S, Pedersen AF, Ryg J, Thomsen LA, Vedsted P, Jensen H. Assessing how routes to diagnosis vary by the age of patients with cancer: a nationwide register-based cohort study in Denmark. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:906. [PMID: 35986279 PMCID: PMC9392355 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09937-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Older patients with cancer have poorer prognosis compared to younger patients. Moreover, prognosis is related to how cancer is identified, and where in the healthcare system patients present, i.e. routes to diagnosis (RtD). We investigated whether RtD varied by patients' age. METHODS This population-based national cohort study used Danish registry data. Patients were categorized into age groups and eight mutually exclusive RtD. We employed multinomial logistic regressions adjusted for sex, region, diagnosis year, cohabitation, education, income, immigration status and comorbidities. Screened and non-screened patients were analysed separately. RESULTS The study included 137,876 patients. Both younger and older patients with cancer were less likely to get diagnosed after a cancer patient pathways referral from primary care physician compared to middle-aged patients. Older patients were more likely to get diagnosed via unplanned admission, death certificate only, and outpatient admission compared to younger patients. The patterns were similar across comorbidity levels. CONCLUSIONS RtD varied by age groups, and middle-aged patients were the most likely to get diagnosed after cancer patient pathways with referral from primary care. Emphasis should be put on raising clinicians' awareness of cancer being the underlying cause of symptoms in both younger patients and in older patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Danckert
- The Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - N L Christensen
- Department of Respiratory Diseases and Allergy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - A Z Falborg
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - H Frederiksen
- Haematological Research Unit, Department of Haematology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - G Lyratzopoulos
- Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes (ECHO) Research Group, Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - S McPhail
- National Disease Registration Service, NHS Digital, Leeds, UK
| | - A F Pedersen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - J Ryg
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Research Unit of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - L A Thomsen
- The Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - P Vedsted
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - H Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark.
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19
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Boennelykke A, Jensen H, Østgård LSG, Falborg AZ, Hansen AT, Christensen KS, Vedsted P. Cancer risk in persons with new-onset anaemia: a population-based cohort study in Denmark. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:805. [PMID: 35864463 PMCID: PMC9306185 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09912-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The time interval from first symptom and sign until a cancer diagnosis significantly affects the prognosis. Therefore, recognising and acting on signs of cancer, such as anaemia, is essential. Evidence is sparse on the overall risk of cancer and the risk of specific cancer types in persons with new-onset anaemia detected in an unselected general practice population. We aimed to assess the risk of cancer in persons with new-onset anaemia detected in general practice, both overall and for selected cancer types. Methods This observational population-based cohort study used individually linked electronic data from laboratory information systems and nationwide healthcare registries in Denmark. We included persons aged 40–90 years without a prior history of cancer and with new-onset anaemia (no anaemia during the previous 15 months) detected in general practice in 2014–2018. We measured the incidence proportion and standardised incidence ratios of a new cancer diagnosis (all cancers except for non-melanoma skin cancers) during 12 months follow-up. Results A total of 48,925 persons (median [interquartile interval] age, 69 [55–78] years; 55.5% men) were included in the study. In total, 7.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 7.6 to 8.2) of men and 5.2% (CI: 4.9 to 5.5) of women were diagnosed with cancer during 12 months. Across selected anaemia types, the highest cancer incidence proportion was seen in women with ‘anaemia of inflammation’ (15.3%, CI: 13.1 to 17.5) (ferritin > 100 ng/mL and increased C-reactive protein (CRP)) and in men with ‘combined inflammatory iron deficiency anaemia’ (19.3%, CI: 14.5 to 24.1) (ferritin < 100 ng/mL and increased CRP). For these two anaemia types, the cancer incidence across cancer types was 10- to 30-fold higher compared to the general population. Conclusions Persons with new-onset anaemia detected in general practice have a high cancer risk; and markedly high for ‘combined inflammatory iron deficiency anaemia’ and ‘anaemia of inflammation’. Anaemia is a sign of cancer that calls for increased awareness and action. There is a need for research on how to improve the initial pathway for new-onset anaemia in general practice. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09912-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Boennelykke
- Research Unit for General Practice, Bartholins Allé 2, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark. .,Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Bartholins Allé 2, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Lene Sofie Granfeldt Østgård
- Department of Haematology, Odense University Hospital, J.B. Winsloews Vej 4, DK-5000, Odense C, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, DK-8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | | | - Anette Tarp Hansen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, DK-8200, Aarhus N, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aalborg University Hospital, Hobrovej 18, DK-9100, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Kaj Sparle Christensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Bartholins Allé 2, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.,Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Unit for General Practice, Bartholins Allé 2, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.,Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
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Rasmussen LA, Virgilsen LF, Fristrup CW, Vedsted P, Jensen H. Healthcare use in the year preceding a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer: a register-based cohort study in Denmark. Scand J Prim Health Care 2022; 40:197-207. [PMID: 35485773 PMCID: PMC9397460 DOI: 10.1080/02813432.2022.2069730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the use of healthcare prior to a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in Denmark. DESIGN A population-based cohort study using prospectively recorded data from Danish National Health Registries. SETTING Danish general practice and hospitals. SUBJECTS A total of 5926 patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2012-2018 and 59,260 matched references without pancreatic cancer from the Danish general population. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The monthly frequency of healthcare use (contacts and tests in general practice and contacts and diagnostic investigations in hospitals) during the 12 months preceding the pancreatic cancer diagnosis and a corresponding index date assigned to the references. RESULTS Compared to the references, the patients had increased contacts and diagnostic tests, especially blood glucose testing, in general practice from 7 to 12 months before diagnosis. Hospital contacts and diagnostic imaging increased from 5 months before the diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS The pattern of increasing healthcare contacts before a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer may represent a window of opportunity to diagnose pancreatic cancer earlier. The increased use of blood glucose test in general practice may represent an important sign of an underlying disease. Key pointsPancreatic cancer is a rapidly progressing and highly lethal disease. Focus on early diagnosis is essential to improve the prognosis.Patients with pancreatic cancer had increased number of healthcare contacts from 7 months before the diagnosis.Patients with pancreatic cancer had increased number of blood glucose tests taken throughout almost the entire year before the diagnosis.The results may indicate that a window of opportunity exists to diagnose pancreatic cancer earlier.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Claus W. Fristrup
- Department of Surgery, Odense Pancreas Centre (OPAC), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Danish Pancreatic Cancer Database, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
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21
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De Thurah A, Jensen H, Maribo T, Bach Jensen M, Sandbæk A, Hauge EM, A Rasmussen L. OP0037 USE OF PRIMARY HEALTHCARE AND RADIOLOGICAL IMAGING PRECEDING A DIAGNOSIS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: A DANISH NATIONWIDE COHORT STUDY. Ann Rheum Dis 2022. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2022-eular.1444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BackgroundFocus on early diagnosis and treatment initiation is key in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to prevent permanent joint damage and systemic manifestations. Increased use of healthcare services before an RA diagnosis can be seen as a proxy for symptom presentation and the actions taken by healthcare professionals, and thus indicate an opportunity for earlier diagnosis. However, little is known about where and when people use healthcare services before an RA diagnosis.ObjectivesTo explore the pattern in use of healthcare services during the 12 months preceding a diagnosis of RA in Denmark.MethodsWe conducted a population-based cohort study using data from Danish national registries. For every patient diagnosed with RA in 2014-2018 we matched ten reference persons from the Danish general population without RA, listed in the same general practice and with same age and sex. Healthcare use was defined as: daytime face to face contacts to general practice, contacts to private practicing physiotherapists.We estimated the monthly healthcare use for patients with RA and reference persons in the 12 months preceding the diagnosis, and we compared their healthcare use by incidence rate ratios (IRR) for each month, adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidity.Results7,427 patients with RA and 74,270 reference persons were included in the study. The median age was 62 years (interquartile interval (IQI): 51-71), and 65% were women. Patients with RA had an average of 0.5 contacts per month in general practice from 12 months until six months prior to the diagnosis (Figure 1); this number increased from six months before the diagnosis to an average of one contact in the last month before the diagnosis. Reference persons had an average of 0.4 contacts per months throughout the entire study period. Compared to their references, patients with RA had statistically significantly more contacts during all 12 months before the diagnosis date; IRR increased from 1.25 (95% CI: 1.19-1.30) to 2.63 (2.55-2.71) during the study period.Patients with RA also had statstistically significantly more contacts to physiotherapists compared to their references throughout the entire study period, and increasing contact rates from eight months before the diagnosis. This was primarily driven by more contacts in women with RA compared to their references.ConclusionPatients with RA had more contacts to general practice and physiotherapists in all 12 months preceding the RA diagnosis compared to references and these contact rates increased further the last six to eight months in patients with RA. This indicates symptom presentation for several months before the RA is diagnosed, and it indicates that a window of opportunity exists to expedite referral to specialist care and the diagnosis of RA.Disclosure of InterestsNone declared.
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22
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McPhail S, Swann R, Johnson SA, Barclay ME, Abd Elkader H, Alvi R, Barisic A, Bucher O, Clark GRC, Creighton N, Danckert B, Denny CA, Donnelly DW, Dowden JJ, Finn N, Fox CR, Fung S, Gavin AT, Gomez Navas E, Habbous S, Han J, Huws DW, Jackson CGCA, Jensen H, Kaposhi B, Kumar SE, Little AL, Lu S, McClure CA, Møller B, Musto G, Nilssen Y, Saint-Jacques N, Sarker S, Te Marvelde L, Thomas RS, Thomas RJS, Thomson CS, Woods RR, Zhang B, Lyratzopoulos G. Risk factors and prognostic implications of diagnosis of cancer within 30 days after an emergency hospital admission (emergency presentation): an International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP) population-based study. Lancet Oncol 2022; 23:587-600. [PMID: 35397210 PMCID: PMC9046095 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(22)00127-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Greater understanding of international cancer survival differences is needed. We aimed to identify predictors and consequences of cancer diagnosis through emergency presentation in different international jurisdictions in six high-income countries. METHODS Using a federated analysis model, in this cross-sectional population-based study, we analysed cancer registration and linked hospital admissions data from 14 jurisdictions in six countries (Australia, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK), including patients with primary diagnosis of invasive oesophageal, stomach, colon, rectal, liver, pancreatic, lung, or ovarian cancer during study periods from Jan 1, 2012, to Dec 31, 2017. Data were collected on cancer site, age group, sex, year of diagnosis, and stage at diagnosis. Emergency presentation was defined as diagnosis of cancer within 30 days after an emergency hospital admission. Using logistic regression, we examined variables associated with emergency presentation and associations between emergency presentation and short-term mortality. We meta-analysed estimates across jurisdictions and explored jurisdiction-level associations between cancer survival and the percentage of patients diagnosed as emergencies. FINDINGS In 857 068 patients across 14 jurisdictions, considering all of the eight cancer sites together, the percentage of diagnoses through emergency presentation ranged from 24·0% (9165 of 38 212 patients) to 42·5% (12 238 of 28 794 patients). There was consistently large variation in the percentage of emergency presentations by cancer site across jurisdictions. Pancreatic cancer diagnoses had the highest percentage of emergency presentations on average overall (46·1% [30 972 of 67 173 patients]), with the jurisdictional range being 34·1% (1083 of 3172 patients) to 60·4% (1317 of 2182 patients). Rectal cancer had the lowest percentage of emergency presentations on average overall (12·1% [10 051 of 83 325 patients]), with a jurisdictional range of 9·1% (403 of 4438 patients) to 19·8% (643 of 3247 patients). Across the jurisdictions, older age (ie, 75-84 years and 85 years or older, compared with younger patients) and advanced stage at diagnosis compared with non-advanced stage were consistently associated with increased emergency presentation risk, with the percentage of emergency presentations being highest in the oldest age group (85 years or older) for 110 (98%) of 112 jurisdiction-cancer site strata, and in the most advanced (distant spread) stage category for 98 (97%) of 101 jurisdiction-cancer site strata with available information. Across the jurisdictions, and despite heterogeneity in association size (I2=93%), emergency presenters consistently had substantially greater risk of 12-month mortality than non-emergency presenters (odds ratio >1·9 for 112 [100%] of 112 jurisdiction-cancer site strata, with the minimum lower bound of the related 95% CIs being 1·26). There were negative associations between jurisdiction-level percentage of emergency presentations and jurisdiction-level 1-year survival for colon, stomach, lung, liver, pancreatic, and ovarian cancer, with a 10% increase in percentage of emergency presentations in a jurisdiction being associated with a decrease in 1-year net survival of between 2·5% (95% CI 0·28-4·7) and 7·0% (1·2-13·0). INTERPRETATION Internationally, notable proportions of patients with cancer are diagnosed through emergency presentation. Specific types of cancer, older age, and advanced stage at diagnosis are consistently associated with an increased risk of emergency presentation, which strongly predicts worse prognosis and probably contributes to international differences in cancer survival. Monitoring emergency presentations, and identifying and acting on contributing behavioural and health-care factors, is a global priority for cancer control. FUNDING Canadian Partnership Against Cancer; Cancer Council Victoria; Cancer Institute New South Wales; Cancer Research UK; Danish Cancer Society; National Cancer Registry Ireland; The Cancer Society of New Zealand; National Health Service England; Norwegian Cancer Society; Public Health Agency Northern Ireland, on behalf of the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry; the Scottish Government; Western Australia Department of Health; and Wales Cancer Network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean McPhail
- National Disease Registration Service, NHS Digital, Leeds, UK
| | - Ruth Swann
- National Disease Registration Service, NHS Digital, Leeds, UK; Cancer Research UK, London, UK
| | | | - Matthew E Barclay
- Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes, Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care (IEHC), University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Riaz Alvi
- Department of Epidemiology and Performance Measurement, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | | | - Oliver Bucher
- Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Registry, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | | | | | - Bolette Danckert
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - David W Donnelly
- Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Jeff J Dowden
- Provincial Cancer Care Program, Eastern Health, St John's, NL, Canada
| | - Norah Finn
- Victorian Cancer Registry, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Cancer Support, Treatment and Research, Department of Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Colin R Fox
- Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Sharon Fung
- Canadian Partnership against Cancer, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anna T Gavin
- Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | | | - Steven Habbous
- Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario), Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jihee Han
- Canadian Partnership against Cancer, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dyfed W Huws
- Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit, Public Health Data, Knowledge and Research Directorate, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, UK; Population Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, UK
| | | | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Bethany Kaposhi
- Surveillance and Reporting, Advanced Analytics, Cancer Care Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton
| | - S Eshwar Kumar
- New Brunswick Cancer Network, Department of Health, New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada
| | | | | | - Carol A McClure
- Prince Edward Island Cancer Registry, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Charlottetown, PE, Canada
| | | | - Grace Musto
- Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Registry, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | | | | | - Sabuj Sarker
- Department of Epidemiology and Performance Measurement, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Luc Te Marvelde
- Victorian Cancer Registry, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rebecca S Thomas
- Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit, Public Health Data, Knowledge and Research Directorate, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, UK; Department of the Dean, Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Robert J S Thomas
- Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit, Public Health Data, Knowledge and Research Directorate, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, UK; Department of the Dean, Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Ryan R Woods
- Cancer Control Research, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Bin Zhang
- Health Analytics, Department of Health, Fredericton, NB, Canada
| | - Georgios Lyratzopoulos
- National Disease Registration Service, NHS Digital, Leeds, UK; Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes, Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care (IEHC), University College London, London, UK.
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23
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Virgilsen LF, Vedsted P, Falborg AZ, Pedersen AF, Prior A, Jensen H. Routes to cancer diagnosis for patients with pre-existing psychiatric disorders: a nationwide register-based cohort study. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:472. [PMID: 35488242 PMCID: PMC9055745 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09598-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Poor cancer prognosis has been observed in patients with pre-existing psychiatric disorders. Therefore, we need better knowledge about the diagnosis of cancer in this patient group. The aim of the study was to describe the routes to cancer diagnosis in patients with pre-existing psychiatric disorders and to analyse how cancer type modified the routes. Methods A register-based cohort study was conducted by including patients diagnosed with incident cancer in 2014–2018 (n = 155,851). Information on pre-existing psychiatric disorders was obtained from register data on hospital contacts and prescription medication. Multinomial regression models with marginal means expressed as probabilities were used to assess the association between pre-existing psychiatric disorders and routes to diagnosis. Results Compared to patients with no psychiatric disorders, the population with a psychiatric disorder had an 8.0% lower probability of being diagnosed through cancer patient pathways initiated in primary care and a 7.6% higher probability of being diagnosed through unplanned admissions. Patients with pre-existing psychiatric disorders diagnosed with rectal, colon, pancreatic, liver or lung cancer and patients with schizophrenia and organic disorders were less often diagnosed through cancer patient pathways initiated in primary care. Conclusion Patients with pre-existing psychiatric disorders were less likely to be diagnosed through Cancer Patient Pathways from primary care. To some extent, this was more pronounced among patients with cancer types that often present with vague or unspecific symptoms and among patients with severe psychiatric disorders. Targeting the routes by which patients with psychiatric disorders are diagnosed, may be one way to improve the prognosis among this group of patients. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09598-x.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Unit for General Practice, Bartholins Alle 2, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, 8200, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | - Anette Fischer Pedersen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Bartholins Alle 2, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, 8200, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Anders Prior
- Research Unit for General Practice, Bartholins Alle 2, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Bartholins Alle 2, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
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Jessen NH, Jensen H, Falborg AZ, Glerup H, Gronbaek H, Vedsted P. Contacts to general practice in the 12 months preceding a diagnosis of an abdominal cancer: a national register-based cohort study. Scand J Prim Health Care 2022; 40:148-156. [PMID: 35362365 PMCID: PMC9090419 DOI: 10.1080/02813432.2022.2057054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the number of contacts to general practice across 11 types of abdominal cancer in the 12 months preceding a diagnosis. DESIGN Nationwide register study. SETTING Danish general practice. SUBJECTS Forty-seven thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight patients diagnosed with oesophageal, gastric, colon, rectal, liver, gall bladder/biliary tract, pancreatic, endometrial, ovarian, kidney or bladder cancer in 2014-2018. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Monthly contact rates and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of daytime face-to-face, email and telephone consultations in general practice across different abdominal cancers. The analyses were conducted for each sex and adjusted for age, comorbidity, marital status and education. RESULTS Compared to women with colon cancer, women with rectal cancer had the lowest number of contacts to general practice (IRR 12 months pre-diagnostic (IRR-12)=0.86 (95% CI: 0.80-0.92); IRR 1 month pre-diagnostic (IRR-1)=0.85 (95% CI: 0.81-0.89)), whereas women with liver (IRR-12=1.23 (95% CI: 1.09-1.38); IRR-1=1.11 (95% CI: 1.02-1.20)), pancreatic (IRR-12=1.08 (95% CI: 1.01-1.16); IRR1=1.52 (95% CI: 1.45-1.58)) and kidney cancer (IRR-12=1.14 (95% CI: 1.05-1.23); IRR-1=1.18 (95% CI: 1.12-1.24)) had the highest number of contacts. Men showed similar patterns. From seven months pre-diagnostic, an increase in contacts to general practice was seen in bladder cancer patients, particularly women, compared to colon cancer. CONCLUSIONS Using pre-diagnostic contact rates unveiled that liver, pancreatic, kidney and bladder cancers had a higher and more prolonged use of general practice. This may suggest missed opportunities of diagnosing cancer. Thus, pre-diagnostic contact rates may indicate symptoms and signs for cancer that need further research to ensure early cancer diagnosis.Key pointsThe majority of cancer patients attend their general practitioner (GP) before diagnosis; however, little is known about the use of general practice across different abdominal cancers.This study suggests that a potential exists to detect some abdominal cancers at an earlier point in time.The contact patterns in general practice seem to be shaped by the degree of diagnostic difficulty.GPs may need additional diagnostic opportunities to identify abdominal cancer in symptomatic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanna Holt Jessen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- CONTACT Nanna Holt Jessen Research Unit for General Practice Aarhus, Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Alina Zalounina Falborg
- Research Unit for General Practice, Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henning Glerup
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Diagnostic Center, Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Aarhus University, Silkeborg, Denmark
| | - Henning Gronbaek
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Unit for General Practice, Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Diagnostic Center, Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Aarhus University, Silkeborg, Denmark
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25
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Virgilsen LF, Rasmussen LA, Vedsted P, Jensen H. Diagnosing pancreatic cancer in general practice: a cross-sectional study on associations between suspicion of cancer, urgent referral and time to diagnosis. Scand J Prim Health Care 2022; 40:78-86. [PMID: 35148665 PMCID: PMC9090359 DOI: 10.1080/02813432.2022.2036491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the first point of contact in patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and to study factors associated with the GP's suspicion of cancer, Cancer Patient Pathway (CPP) referral and long diagnostic interval. DESIGN Cross-sectional study combining register and survey data. PATIENTS Patients with incident pancreatic cancer recorded in the Danish National Patient Register (n = 303). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The patient's first point of symptoms presentation, GP's cancer suspicion, CPP referral and diagnostic interval. RESULTS General practice was the first point of contact for 85.5% of the population. At the first consultation, cancer was suspected in 32.7% and 22.9% were referred to a CPP. The GPs were more likely to suspect cancer or serious illness in patients aged >70 years (prevalence rate ratio (PRR) 1.34, 95% CI 1.09-1.66) and among patients with high comorbidity (PRR 1.23, 95% CI 1.04-1.47). A CPP referral was less likely among patients with low education. The median diagnostic interval was 39 days (interquartile range: 15-72). When the GP initially did not suspect cancer, the likelihood of longer diagnostic interval increased. CONCLUSION The majority of patients with pancreatic cancer began their diagnostic route in general practice. Diagnosing pancreatic cancer swiftly in general practice was challenging; the GP did often not initially suspect cancer or refer to a CPP and several of the patient characteristics were associated with the GPs initial suspicion of cancer or CPP referral. Thus, there may be room for improvements in the diagnostics of pancreatic cancer in general practice.Key pointsPatients with pancreatic cancer have a poor prognosis, as pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed in late stage.The majority of patients with pancreatic cancer began their diagnostic process in general practice.General practitioners (GPs) suspected cancer at the first consultation in one out of three patients with pancreatic cancer; more often in older and comorbid patients.The GPs suspicion of cancer was associated with urgent referral and shorter time to diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Line F. Virgilsen
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Linda A. Rasmussen
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Henry Jensen
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
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26
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Boennelykke A, Jensen H, Falborg AZ, Granfeldt Østgård LS, Hansen AT, Christensen KS, Vedsted P. Diagnostic workup of cancer in patients with new-onset anaemia: a Danish cohort study in general practice. Scand J Prim Health Care 2021; 39:391-402. [PMID: 34463223 PMCID: PMC8725890 DOI: 10.1080/02813432.2021.1970934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaemia is associated with adverse outcomes, including increased morbidity and all-cause mortality. Diagnostic workup of patients with anaemia is essential to detect underlying disease, especially undiagnosed malignancy. OBJECTIVE To describe the cancer-relevant diagnostic workup in patients with new-onset anaemia detected in general practice. An additional aim was to analyse associations between patient characteristics and the diagnostic workup. DESIGN Observational population-based cohort study using electronic laboratory and register data. SETTING Danish general practice. SUBJECTS Patients aged 40-90 years with new-onset anaemia (no anaemia in the preceding 15 months) detected in general practice. Patients were identified in Danish laboratory information systems and nationwide registries in 2014-2018. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We measured the proportion of patients receiving predefined diagnostic investigations, that is, cancer patient pathway, colonoscopy, gastroscopy, computerised tomography (CT) scan, faecal test for haemoglobin, and bone marrow examination within three months of the anaemia index date. RESULTS We included 59,993 patients, and around half of the patients with 'iron deficiency anaemia', 'anaemia of inflammation', or 'combined inflammatory iron deficiency anaemia' had no cancer-relevant diagnostic investigations performed. Patients aged 60-79 years and patients with severe anaemia were more likely to have investigations performed, while patients with comorbidity were less likely to have investigations performed. CONCLUSION Around half of the patients with anaemia subtypes that may indicate underlying cancer had no cancer-relevant diagnostic investigations performed. This may represent missed diagnostic opportunities. Future interventions are needed to improve the diagnostic workup of cancer in patients with anaemia, for example, laboratory alert systems and clinical decision support.KEY POINTSThe general practitioners are often the first to detect anaemia and its underlying disease (e.g. undiagnosed malignancy).Large-scale studies are needed on the diagnostic workup of patients with anaemia in general practice in relation to an underlying malignancy.This study shows that the majority of patients with anaemia had no cancer-relevant diagnostic investigations performed, which may cause diagnostic delay.Interventions seems needed to improve the diagnostic workup of cancer in these patients to ensure timely diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Boennelykke
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
- CONTACT Astrid Boennelykke Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | - Lene Sofie Granfeldt Østgård
- Department of Haematology, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Anette Tarp Hansen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens, Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Kaj Sparle Christensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
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Heldal HE, Helvik L, Haanes H, Volynkin A, Jensen H, Lepland A. Distribution of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in sediments from the Vefsnfjord, Norway. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 172:112822. [PMID: 34403925 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Areas in central Norway were heavily contaminated with fallout from the Chernobyl accident in 1986. In this study, we assess 137Cs in surface sediments and sediment cores collected in the Vefsnfjord in Nordland county. Concentrations of 137Cs in surface sediments ranged from 159 to 191 Bq kg-1 dry weight (d.w.). Sub-surface peaks of 137Cs were observed in all cores, with a maximum concentration of 432 Bq kg-1 d.w. Given that little is known about the distribution of naturally occurring radionuclides in Norwegian fjords and coastal areas, a better understanding of the total burden of radioactivity is important for the Norwegian fishing and aquaculture industries. Therefore, analyses of the natural radionuclides 40K, 226Ra, 228Ra and 210Pb were included in the study. Analyses of total sulphur (TS), total carbon (TC), total organic carbon (TOC) and grain size distribution have been performed to provide a sedimentologic context for interpreting the radionuclide results.
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Affiliation(s)
- H E Heldal
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817 Bergen, Norway.
| | - L Helvik
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817 Bergen, Norway
| | - H Haanes
- Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, P.O. Box 329, Skøyen, NO-0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - A Volynkin
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817 Bergen, Norway
| | - H Jensen
- Geological Survey of Norway, P.O. Box 6315, Torgarden, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - A Lepland
- Geological Survey of Norway, P.O. Box 6315, Torgarden, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
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Petersen GS, Laursen SGW, Jensen H, Maindal HT, Pedersen AF, Vedsted P, Virgilsen LF. Patients' health literacy is associated with timely diagnosis of cancer-A cross-sectional study in Denmark. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2021; 31:e13532. [PMID: 34704640 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Timely diagnosis of cancer is important for prognosis. Patients' health literacy (HL) may impact differences of diagnostic delays. Thus, we aim to explore the association between HL and diagnostic intervals in cancer. METHODS Questionnaire data were obtained from patients with cancer diagnosed in 2016 and their general practitioner (n = 3890). The primary care interval (PCI) and the diagnostic interval (DI) were calculated using dates from national registries and questionnaires. A long PCI and DI were defined as ≥75th percentile. HL was assessed using scales from the Health Literacy Questionnaire: engaging with healthcare providers (scale 6:Engagement, n = 3008), navigating in healthcare (scale 7:Navigation, n = 2827) and understanding health information (scale 9:Knowledge, n = 3002). Low HL was defined as a score ≤3. RESULTS Low HL was reported by 12.2% (Engagement), 27.0% (Navigation) and 9.3% (Knowledge) of the patients and associated with a long PCI after adjustment of socio-economic factors: Engagement (prevalence rate ratio [PRR] 1.27 [95% CI 1.01-1.60]), Navigation (PRR 1.41 [95% CI 1.10-1.80]) and Knowledge (PRR 1.32 [95% CI 1.03-1.68]). No association was found between HL and DI. CONCLUSION HL may interfere with the diagnostic processes in general practice. Efforts to manage low HL include GPs' awareness of patients' ability to explain and respond to bodily changes and use of corresponding safety-netting strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Anette F Pedersen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Unit for General Practice, Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Line Flytkjaer Virgilsen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Aarhus, Denmark
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30
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Danckert B, Falborg AZ, Christensen NL, Frederiksen H, Lyratzopoulos G, McPhail S, Ryg J, Vedsted P, Thomsen LA, Jensen H. Routes to diagnosis and the association with the prognosis in patients with cancer - A nationwide register-based cohort study in Denmark. Cancer Epidemiol 2021; 74:101983. [PMID: 34352658 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2021.101983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prognosis of cancer is related to how the cancer is identified, and where in the healthcare system the patient presents, i.e. routes to diagnosis (RtD). We aimed to describe the RtD for patients diagnosed with cancer in Denmark by using routinely collected register-based data and to investigate the association between RtD and prognosis measured as one-year all-cause mortality. METHODS We conducted a population-based national cohort study by linking routinely collected Danish registry data. We categorised each patient into one of eight specified RtD based on an algorithm using a stepwise logic decision process. We described the proportions of patients with cancer diagnosed by different RtD. We examined associations between RtD and one-year all-cause mortality using logistic regression models adjusting for sex, age, cancer type, year of diagnosis, region of residence, and comorbidity. RESULTS We included 144,635 cancers diagnosed in 139,023 patients in 2014-2017. The most common RtD were cancer patient pathway from primary care (45.9 %), cancer patient pathway from secondary care (20.0 %), unplanned hospital admission (15.8 %), and population-based screening (7.5 %). The one-year mortality ranged from 1.4 % in screened patients to 53.0 % in patients diagnosed through unplanned hospital admission. Patients with an unplanned admission were more likely to die within the first year after diagnosis (OR = 3.38 (95 %CI: 3.24-3.52)) compared to patients diagnosed through the cancer patient pathway from primary care. CONCLUSION The majority of cancer patients were diagnosed through a cancer patient pathway. The RtD were associated with the prognosis, and the prognosis was worst in patients diagnosed through unplanned admission. The study suggests that linking routinely collected registry data could enable a national framework for RtD, which could serve to identify variations across patient-, health-, and system-related and healthcare factors. This information could be used in future research investigating markers for monitoring purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Henrik Frederiksen
- Haematological Research Unit, Department of Haematology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Georgios Lyratzopoulos
- Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes (ECHO) Research Group, Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sean McPhail
- National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jesper Ryg
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Research Unit of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | | | | | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark.
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Jessen NH, Jensen H, Helsper CW, Falborg AZ, Glerup H, Gronbaek H, Vedsted P. Cancer suspicion, referral to cancer patient pathway and primary care interval: a survey and register study exploring 10 different types of abdominal cancer. Fam Pract 2021; 38:589-597. [PMID: 33904928 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmab025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abdominal cancers represent 30% of all diagnosed cancers. Nevertheless, it is unknown if the general practitioner's (GP's) initial cancer suspicion varies for different abdominal cancer types and how this is associated with referrals to standardized cancer patient pathways (CPPs). OBJECTIVES To explore initial cancer suspicion in GPs and to investigate how this was associated with GP referrals to CPPs and the duration of the primary care interval (PCI) in 10 different abdominal cancer types. METHODS We conducted a cohort study on 1104 incident abdominal cancer patients diagnosed in Denmark in 2016 using a combination of survey and register-based data. Poisson regression was used to estimate associations between GP cancer suspicion, CPP referral and PCI duration. RESULTS The GPs initially suspected cancer or other serious disease in 46-78% of cases, lowest in kidney cancer, and referred 35-65% to a CPP, lowest in oesophageal cancer. The GP's suspicion at the first presentation was strongly associated with referral to a CPP. The median (0-11 days) and 75th percentile (3-32 days) PCIs varied between the abdominal cancer types. The likelihood of a long PCI was more than 3-fold higher when the GP did not initially suspect cancer. CONCLUSION In up to half of abdominal cancer patients, there is no initial suspicion of cancer or serious disease. CPPs were used in only one-third to two-thirds of patients, depending on cancer type. For kidney cancer, as well as several abdominal cancers, we need better diagnostic strategies to support GPs to enable effective and efficient referral.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanna H Jessen
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henry Jensen
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Charles W Helsper
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Alina Z Falborg
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henning Glerup
- Diagnostic Center, Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Silkeborg, Denmark
| | - Henning Gronbaek
- Department of Clinical Medicine-Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark.,Diagnostic Center, Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Silkeborg, Denmark
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Heldal HE, Helvik L, Appleby P, Haanes H, Volynkin A, Jensen H, Lepland A. Geochronology of sediment cores from the Vefsnfjord, Norway. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 170:112683. [PMID: 34225196 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The sedimentary environment is a repository and carrier for a variety of pollutants, and sediment transport from land to coastal areas is an important environmental process. In the present study, we use 210Pb/226Ra and 137Cs in sediment cores to assess sediment supply rates at four sites within the Vefsnfjord in Nordland county, Norway. This area was highly affected by fallout from the Chernobyl accident in 1986 and inventories of 137Cs in the fjord are much higher than in many other Norwegian fjords. Sedimentation rates between 0.042 and 0.25 g cm-2 y-1 (0.060 and 0.38 cm y-1) were determined using a combination of the Constant Rate of Supply (CRS) and Constant Flux:Constant Sedimentation rate (CF:CS) models. Well-defined 137Cs concentration peaks were used as a supplementary tool to the 210Pb dating methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- H E Heldal
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway.
| | - L Helvik
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - P Appleby
- University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, United Kingdom
| | - H Haanes
- Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, P.O. Box 329, Skøyen, NO-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - A Volynkin
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - H Jensen
- Geological Survey of Norway, P.O. Box 6315, Torgarden, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - A Lepland
- Geological Survey of Norway, P.O. Box 6315, Torgarden, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway
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33
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Boennelykke A, Jensen H, Granfeldt Østgård LS, Falborg AZ, Christensen KS, Hansen AT, Emery J, Vedsted P. Insufficient classification of anaemia in general practice: a Danish register-based observational study. Scand J Prim Health Care 2021; 39:364-372. [PMID: 34330185 PMCID: PMC8475152 DOI: 10.1080/02813432.2021.1958499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaemia can be a pointer of underlying severe disease, including undiagnosed malignancy. Subsequent blood tests are essential to classify the anaemia into subtypes and to facilitate targeted diagnostic investigation to ensure timely diagnosis of underlying disease. OBJECTIVE We aimed to describe and classify anaemia based on laboratory tests from patients with new-onset anaemia detected in general practice. An additional aim was to analyse associations between patient characteristics and unclassified anaemia (not classifiable according to an algorithm). DESIGN Population-based cross-sectional study. SETTING Danish general practice. SUBJECTS A total of 62,731 patients (age: 40-90 years) with new-onset anaemia were identified in Danish laboratory information systems and nationwide registries, and data were obtained for 2014-2018. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We measured the proportion of patients classified into subtypes of anaemia based on blood tests requested by general practitioners within 31 days of the anaemia index date. RESULTS Of the 62,731 patients with new-onset anaemia, we identified unclassified anaemia in 78.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 77.3-80.5) of men and 65.1% (CI: 63.4-66.9) of women. The likelihood of unclassified anaemia increased with age, increasing comorbidity and decreasing severity of anaemia. CONCLUSION The majority of patients with new-onset anaemia could not be classified through a simple algorithm due to missing blood tests, which highlights a potential missed opportunity for diagnosis. Standardised laboratory testing of patients with anaemia is warranted to ensure adequate follow-up and early detection of underlying severe disease.KEY POINTSAnaemia can be a sign of malignancy, and anaemia classification is an important step in the diagnosis of underlying disorders.The majority of patients with anaemia could not be classified according to a simple algorithm due to missing blood tests.Some patient characteristics were associated with a high risk of unclassified anaemia: high age, high comorbidity, and severe anaemia.Standardised laboratory testing in patients with anaemia is needed to inform targeted diagnostic investigation to ensure timely diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Boennelykke
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- CONTACT Astrid Boennelykke Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lene Sofie Granfeldt Østgård
- Department of Haematology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Kaj Sparle Christensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anette Tarp Hansen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Jon Emery
- Department of General Practice and Centre for Cancer Research, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Rasmussen LA, Jensen H, Falborg AZ, Iversen LH, Vedsted P. A nationwide register-study of healthcare utilisation in the year preceding a colorectal cancer recurrence diagnosis. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2021; 30:e13494. [PMID: 34291857 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Linda Aagaard Rasmussen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Alina Zalounina Falborg
- Research Unit for General Practice, Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lene Hjerrild Iversen
- Department of Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.,Danish Colorectal Cancer Group, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Unit for General Practice, Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Aarhus, Denmark
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Virgilsen LF, Pedersen AF, Vedsted P, Petersen GS, Jensen H. Alignment between the patient's cancer worry and the GP's cancer suspicion and the association with the interval between first symptom presentation and referral: a cross-sectional study in Denmark. BMC Fam Pract 2021; 22:129. [PMID: 34167486 PMCID: PMC8228922 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-021-01480-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND General practitioners (GPs) have a key role in the diagnosis of cancer. It is crucial to identify factors influencing the decision to refer for suspected cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the alignment between the patient's cancer worry and the GP's suspicion of cancer in the first clinical encounter and the association with the time interval from the first symptom presentation until the first referral to specialist care, i.e. the primary care interval (PCI). METHOD The study was performed as a cross-sectional study using survey data on patients diagnosed with incident cancer in 2010 or 2016 and their GPs in Denmark. We defined four alignment groups: 1) patient worry and GP suspicion, 2) GP suspicion only, 3) patient worry only, and 4) none of the two. A long PCI was defined as an interval longer than the 75th percentile. RESULTS Among the 3333 included patients, both patient worry and GP suspicion was seen in 39.5%, only GP suspicion was seen in 28.2%, only patient worry was seen in 13.6%, and neither patient worry nor GP suspicion was seen in 18.2%. The highest likelihood of long PCI was observed in group 4 (group 4 vs. group 1: PPR 3.99 (95% CI 3.34-4.75)), mostly pronounced for easy-to-diagnose cancer types. CONCLUSION Misalignment between the patient's worry and the GP's suspicion was common at the first cancer-related encounter. Importance should be given to the patient interview, due to a potential delayed GP referral among patients diagnosed with "easy-to-diagnose" cancer types presenting with unspecific symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Line Flytkjær Virgilsen
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Research Unit for General Practice, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Anette Fischer Pedersen
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Research Unit for General Practice, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, 8200, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Research Unit for General Practice, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, 8200, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | - Henry Jensen
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Research Unit for General Practice, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
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Latocha KM, Løppenthin K, Al-Bazy S, Albrechtsen T, Jensen H, Østergaard M, Jennum P, Esbensen BA, Christensen R. OP0159-HPR IMPACT OF NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS TARGETING SLEEP DISTURBANCES OR DISORDERS IN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF RANDOMISED TRIALS. Ann Rheum Dis 2021. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-eular.836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Background:Patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA) often present limitations in daily life due to unpredictability, severity and chronicity of the disease, reduced functional ability and health-related quality of life. Moreover, sleep disturbances or disorders have been reported in up to 40-90% of patients with IA [1-3]. Sleep disturbances are further associated with pain, fatigue, mental well-being and disease activity [4]. As chronic us of hypnotic drugs are associated with tolerance and side effects, there is growing interest in non-pharmacological management to improve sleep.Objectives:With a systematic review and meta-analysis, our primary objective was to evaluate the evidence of non-pharmacological interventions targeting sleep in patients with IA. Primary outcome was sleep domains, while secondary objectives were based on the core outcome domains for IA trials and harms.Methods:Following protocol closure, a systematic search was undertaken in MEDLINE, CENTRAL, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, ACR and EULAR in September 2020. Eligible studies were randomised trials with adults with IA and concomitant sleep disturbances or disorders, comparing a non-pharmacological intervention targeting sleep disturbances or disorders to another non-pharmacological intervention, a pharmacological intervention or standard care. Screening of titles, abstracts, and subsequent full text assessment were conducted independently by two reviewers using the Covidence tool. Randomisation, blinding, and adequacy of analyses was assessed using the Cochrane’s RoB tool and the overall quality of evidence was rated using GRADE methodology. Disagreements were resolved at consensus meetings with last authors. Effect sizes for continuous outcomes were based on the standardised mean difference (SMD), combined using standard random-effects meta-analysis (all with 95% CIs).Results:Six trials (308 patients) were included in the quantitative synthesis. Two trials included patients with the sleep disorder insomnia and the remaining four trials included patients with sleep disturbances. Sleep domains were measured with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) or Insomnia Severity index (ISI). Three trials reported improvement on sleep following foot reflexology, auricular plaster therapy, and exercise. The overall meta-analysis presented in the figure of forest plot for self-reported sleep suggests that non-pharmacological interventions have a potentially large effect size of -0.80 (95% CI, -1.33 to -0.28) on sleep. However, the quality of the evidence was assessed as corresponding to low, given that the body of the evidence was rated down twice, due to serious study limitations and inconsistency.Conclusion:Although the effect of non-pharmacological interventions targeting sleep disturbances or the sleep disorder insomnia was statistically highly significant, the implication for clinical practice is questionable because of the overall quality evidence. None of the core outcomes used in contemporary IA trials have indicated clinical benefit in favour of non-pharmacological interventions targeting sleep disturbances or disorders.In conclusion, more rigorous research on non-pharmacological management of sleep disturbances and disorders is urgently needed, also aimed at specific sleep disorders, in order to fully reveal the clinical utility of these novel treatment options. At this point, non-pharmacological treatment of sleep disturbances or disorders is promising and potentially highly effective, and may have the potential to persistently decrease the symptom burden and increase the quality of life of patients with IA.References:[1]Li et al., Psychol Health Med. 2019 Sep;24(8):911-924[2]Haugeberg et al., Arthritis Res Ther. 2020 Aug 26;22(1):198[3]Wali et al., J Clin Sleep Med. 2020 Feb 15;16(2):259-265[4]Løppenthin et al., Clin Rheumatol. 2015 Dec;34(12):2029-39Disclosure of Interests:Kristine Marie Latocha: None declared, Katrine Løppenthin: None declared, Safa Al-Bazy: None declared, Tannie Albrechtsen: None declared, Helle Jensen: None declared, Mikkel Østergaard Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Celgene, Eli-Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi and UCB, Consultant of: Abbvie, BMS, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Celgene, Eli-Lilly, Hospira, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Novo, Orion, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, Sandoz, Sanofi and UCB, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, BMS, Merck, Celgene, Novartis, Poul Jennum: None declared, Bente Appel Esbensen: None declared, Robin Christensen: None declared
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Rasmussen LA, Jensen H, Virgilsen LF, Jeppesen MM, Blaakaer J, Hansen DG, Jensen PT, Mogensen O, Vedsted P. Identification of endometrial cancer recurrence - a validated algorithm based on nationwide Danish registries. Acta Oncol 2021; 60:452-458. [PMID: 33306454 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2020.1859133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recurrence of endometrial cancer is not routinely registered in the Danish national health registers. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a register-based algorithm to identify women diagnosed with endometrial cancer recurrence in Denmark to facilitate register-based research in this field. MATERIAL AND METHODS We conducted a cohort study based on data from Danish health registers. The algorithm was designed to identify women with recurrence and estimate the accompanying diagnosis date, which was based on information from the Danish National Patient Registry and the Danish National Pathology Registry. Indicators of recurrence were pathology registrations and procedure or diagnosis codes suggesting recurrence and related treatment. The gold standard for endometrial cancer recurrence originated from a Danish nationwide study of 2612 women diagnosed with endometrial cancer, FIGO stage I-II during 2005-2009. Recurrence was suspected in 308 women based on pathology reports, and recurrence suspicion was confirmed or rejected in the 308 women based on reviews of the medical records. The algorithm was validated by comparing the recurrence status identified by the algorithm and the recurrence status in the gold standard. RESULTS After relevant exclusions, the final study population consisted of 268 women, hereof 160 (60%) with recurrence according to the gold standard. The algorithm displayed a sensitivity of 91.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 85.8-95.1), a specificity of 91.7% (95% CI: 84.8-96.1) and a positive predictive value of 94.2% (95% CI: 89.3-97.3). The algorithm estimated the recurrence date within 30 days of the gold standard in 86% and within 60 days of the gold standard in 94% of the identified patients. DISCUSSION The algorithm demonstrated good performance; it could be a valuable tool for future research in endometrial cancer recurrence and may facilitate studies with potential impact on clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda A. Rasmussen
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henry Jensen
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Line F. Virgilsen
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mette M. Jeppesen
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jan Blaakaer
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Dorte G. Hansen
- Research Unit of General Practice, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Pernille T. Jensen
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ole Mogensen
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
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Rasmussen LA, Jensen H, Virgilsen LF, Hölmich LR, Vedsted P. A Validated Register-Based Algorithm to Identify Patients Diagnosed with Recurrence of Malignant Melanoma in Denmark. Clin Epidemiol 2021; 13:207-214. [PMID: 33758549 PMCID: PMC7979354 DOI: 10.2147/clep.s295844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Information on cancer recurrence is rarely available outside clinical trials. Wide exclusion criteria used in clinical trials tend to limit the generalizability of findings to the entire population of people living beyond a cancer disease. Therefore, population-level evidence is needed. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a register-based algorithm to identify patients diagnosed with recurrence after curative treatment of malignant melanoma. Patients and Methods Indicators of recurrence were diagnosis and procedure codes recorded in the Danish National Patient Register and pathology results recorded in the Danish National Pathology Register. Medical records on recurrence status and recurrence date in the Danish Melanoma Database served as the gold standard to assess the accuracy of the algorithm. Results The study included 1747 patients diagnosed with malignant melanoma; 95 (5.4%) were diagnosed with recurrence of malignant melanoma according to the gold standard. The algorithm reached a sensitivity of 93.7% (95% confidence interval (CI) 86.8–97.6), a specificity of 99.2% (95% CI: 98.6–99.5), a positive predictive value of 86.4% (95% CI: 78.2–92.4), and negative predictive value of 99.6% (95% CI: 99.2–99.9). Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient was 0.992 (95% CI: 0.989–0.996) for the agreement between the recurrence dates generated by the algorithm and by the gold standard. Conclusion The algorithm can be used to identify patients diagnosed with recurrence of malignant melanoma and to establish the timing of recurrence. This can generate population-level evidence on disease-free survival and diagnostic pathways for recurrence of malignant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Aagaard Rasmussen
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henry Jensen
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Line Flytkjaer Virgilsen
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lisbet Rosenkrantz Hölmich
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
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Jessen NH, Jensen H, Falborg AZ, Glerup H, Gronbaek H, Vedsted P. Abdominal investigations in the year preceding a diagnosis of abdominal cancer: A register-based cohort study in Denmark. Cancer Epidemiol 2021; 72:101926. [PMID: 33689927 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2021.101926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND More than 11,500 abdominal cancers are yearly diagnosed in Denmark. Nevertheless, little is known about which investigations the patients undergo before a diagnosis of abdominal cancer. We aimed to investigate the frequency and timing of selected diagnostic investigations during the year preceding an abdominal cancer diagnosis. METHODS We conducted a nationwide registry-based cohort study of patients aged ≥ 18 years who were diagnosed with a first-time abdominal cancer in 2014-2018. We included the following cancer types: oesophageal, gastric, colon, rectal, liver, gall bladder/biliary tract, pancreatic, endometrial, ovarian, kidney, and bladder cancer. Investigations of interest were transvaginal ultrasound, abdominal ultrasound, colonoscopy, gastroscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, cystoscopy, hysteroscopy, abdominal computed tomography and abdominal magnetic resonance imaging. Generalised linear models were used to calculate incidence rate ratios to enable comparison of monthly rates of investigations. RESULTS All types of investigations were performed, with varying frequency, across the 11 abdominal cancer types in the year preceding the diagnosis. Increased use of investigations revealed that the timing of the onset differed for the different abdominal cancers, with increases seen 2-6 months before the diagnosis. Abdominal ultrasound, colonoscopy and computed tomography were the investigations with the earliest increase. CONCLUSION In the year before a diagnosis of an abdominal cancer, some patients appear to undergo investigations typically used to detect another cancer type. This indicates that a window of opportunity exists to diagnose some abdominal cancers at an earlier time point. Future studies should explore an alternative clinical pathway to promote earlier diagnosis of abdominal cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanna Holt Jessen
- Research Center for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Henry Jensen
- Research Center for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Alina Zalounina Falborg
- Research Center for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henning Glerup
- University Research Clinic for Innovative Patient Pathways, Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Silkeborg, Denmark
| | - Henning Gronbaek
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital and Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Center for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark; University Research Clinic for Innovative Patient Pathways, Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Silkeborg, Denmark
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Virgilsen LF, Jensen H, Pedersen AF, Zalounina Falborg A, Vedsted P. Patient's worry about cancer and the general practitioner's suspicion of cancer or serious illness: A population-based study in Denmark. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2021; 30:e13411. [PMID: 33511723 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A general practitioner's (GP's) suspicion of cancer is important to ensure early diagnosis of cancer. This study aimed to investigate the association between patients' cancer worry and GP's suspicion of cancer or serious illness. METHODS This population-based study was based on Danish register and questionnaire data from 4,175 incident cancer patients diagnosed in 2010 or 2016 and their GPs. The association between the patient's worry about cancer and their GP's suspicion of cancer or serious illness was estimated by generalised linear models with log link for the Poisson family and presented in prevalence rate ratios (PRR). RESULTS For 6 in 10 of the cases, the first consultation was categorised by absence of both or either patient worry or GP suspicion. When patients worried about cancer, the GPs were more likely to suspect cancer or serious illness in patients (PRR=1.26, (95%CI: 1.20-1.34)). For all levels of patient worry and most pronounced among very worried patients, GPs less often suspected cancer or serious illness in patients who presented with an ´intermediate´ or ´hard´ to diagnose cancer. CONCLUSION GPs were more likely to suspect cancer or serious illness in patients who worried about cancer at the first presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Line Flytkjaer Virgilsen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Anette Fischer Pedersen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Alina Zalounina Falborg
- Research Unit for General Practice, Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Unit for General Practice, Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Aarhus C, Denmark
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henrik Frederiksen
- Department of Haematology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Rasmussen LA, Jensen H, Virgilsen LF, Falborg AZ, Møller H, Vedsted P. Healthcare utilisation in general practice and hospitals in the year preceding a diagnosis of cancer recurrence or second primary cancer: a population-based register study. BMC Health Serv Res 2019; 19:941. [PMID: 31805930 PMCID: PMC6896499 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-019-4757-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The organisation of cancer follow-up is under scrutiny in many countries, and general practice is suggested to become more involved. A central focus is timely detection of recurring previous cancer and new second primary cancer. More knowledge on the patient pathway before cancer recurrence and second primary cancer is warranted to ensure the best possible organisation of follow-up. We aimed to describe the healthcare utilisation in the year preceding a diagnosis of cancer recurrence or second primary cancer. Methods This nationwide register study comprises patients diagnosed with bladder, breast, colorectal, endometrial, lung, malignant melanoma and ovarian cancer in Denmark in 2008–2016. The frequency of healthcare contacts during the 12 months preceding a cancer recurrence or second primary cancer was estimated and compared to the frequency of cancer survivors in cancer remission. The main analyses were stratified on sex and healthcare setting. Furthermore, two sub-analyses were stratified on 1) sex, healthcare setting and age group and on 2) sex, healthcare setting and comorbidity status. Results The study population consisted of 7832 patients with recurrence and 2703 patients with second primary cancer. On average, the patients were in contact with general practice one time per month in the 12th month preceding a new cancer diagnosis (recurrence or second primary cancer). Increasing contact rates were seen from 7 months before diagnosis in general practice and from 12 months before diagnosis in hospitals. This pattern was more pronounced in patients with cancer recurrence, younger patients and patients with no comorbidity. For instance, the contact rate ratios for hospital contacts in non-comorbid women with recurrence demonstrated 30% more contacts in the 12th month before recurrence and 127% more contacts in the 2nd month before recurrence. Conclusions The results show that cancer survivors are already seen in general practice on a regular basis. The increasing contact rates before a diagnosis of cancer recurrence or second primary cancer indicate that a window of opportunity exists for more timely diagnosis; this is seen in both general practice and in hospitals. Thus, cancer survivors may benefit from improvements in the organisation of cancer follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Aagaard Rasmussen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark. .,Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark.,Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Line Flytkjær Virgilsen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark.,Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Alina Zalounina Falborg
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark.,Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henrik Møller
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark.,Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Danish Clinical Registries (RKKP), Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark.,Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Menon U, Vedsted P, Zalounina Falborg A, Jensen H, Harrison S, Reguilon I, Barisic A, Bergin RJ, Brewster DH, Butler J, Brustugun OT, Bucher O, Cairnduff V, Gavin A, Grunfeld E, Harland E, Kalsi J, Knudsen AK, Lambe M, Law RJ, Lin Y, Malmberg M, Turner D, Neal RD, White V, Weller D. Time intervals and routes to diagnosis for lung cancer in 10 jurisdictions: cross-sectional study findings from the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP). BMJ Open 2019; 9:e025895. [PMID: 31776134 PMCID: PMC6886977 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Differences in time intervals to diagnosis and treatment between jurisdictions may contribute to previously reported differences in stage at diagnosis and survival. The International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership Module 4 reports the first international comparison of routes to diagnosis and time intervals from symptom onset until treatment start for patients with lung cancer. DESIGN Newly diagnosed patients with lung cancer, their primary care physicians (PCPs) and cancer treatment specialists (CTSs) were surveyed in Victoria (Australia), Manitoba and Ontario (Canada), Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales (UK), Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Using Wales as the reference jurisdiction, the 50th, 75th and 90th percentiles for intervals were compared using quantile regression adjusted for age, gender and comorbidity. PARTICIPANTS Consecutive newly diagnosed patients with lung cancer, aged ≥40 years, diagnosed between October 2012 and March 2015 were identified through cancer registries. Of 10 203 eligible symptomatic patients contacted, 2631 (27.5%) responded and 2143 (21.0%) were included in the analysis. Data were also available from 1211 (56.6%) of their PCPs and 643 (37.0%) of their CTS. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Interval lengths (days; primary), routes to diagnosis and symptoms (secondary). RESULTS With the exception of Denmark (-49 days), in all other jurisdictions, the median adjusted total interval from symptom onset to treatment, for respondents diagnosed in 2012-2015, was similar to that of Wales (116 days). Denmark had shorter median adjusted primary care interval (-11 days) than Wales (20 days); Sweden had shorter (-20) and Manitoba longer (+40) median adjusted diagnostic intervals compared with Wales (45 days). Denmark (-13), Manitoba (-11), England (-9) and Northern Ireland (-4) had shorter median adjusted treatment intervals than Wales (43 days). The differences were greater for the 10% of patients who waited the longest. Based on overall trends, jurisdictions could be grouped into those with trends of reduced, longer and similar intervals to Wales. The proportion of patients diagnosed following presentation to the PCP ranged from 35% to 75%. CONCLUSION There are differences between jurisdictions in interval to treatment, which are magnified in patients with lung cancer who wait the longest. The data could help jurisdictions develop more focused lung cancer policy and targeted clinical initiatives. Future analysis will explore if these differences in intervals impact on stage or survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usha Menon
- Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | | | - Andriana Barisic
- Department of Prevention and Cancer Control, Cancer Care Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rebecca J Bergin
- Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David H Brewster
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, UK
- Scottish Cancer Registry, Information Services Division, NHS National Services Scotland, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | | | - Oliver Bucher
- Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Registry, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Victoria Cairnduff
- Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Anna Gavin
- Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Eva Grunfeld
- Health Services Research Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Harland
- Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Registry, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | | | - Anne Kari Knudsen
- European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Olso University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mats Lambe
- Department of Medical Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Regional Oncologic Center, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rebecca-Jane Law
- North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research, Bangor University, Wrexham, UK
| | - Yulan Lin
- European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Olso University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Martin Malmberg
- Department of Oncology, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Donna Turner
- Population Oncology, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Richard D Neal
- North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research, Bangor University, Wrexham, UK
- Academic Unit of Primary Care, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Victoria White
- Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Weller
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, UK
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Baun MLL, Jensen H, Falborg AZ, Heje HN, Petersen LK, Vedsted P. Ovarian cancer suspicion, urgent referral and time to diagnosis in Danish general practice: a population-based study. Fam Pract 2019; 36:751-757. [PMID: 31046091 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmz013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer (OC) survival rates are lower in Denmark than in countries with similar health care. Prolonged time to diagnosis could be a contributing factor. The Danish cancer patient pathway (CPP) for OC was introduced in 2009. It provides GPs with fast access to diagnostic work-up. OBJECTIVE To investigate cancer suspicion and pathway use among GPs and to explore the association between these factors and the diagnostic intervals (DIs). METHODS We conducted a national population-based cohort study using questionnaires and national registers. RESULTS Of the 313 women with participating GPs, 91% presented with symptoms within 1 year of diagnosis, 61% presented vague non-specific symptoms and 62% were diagnosed with late-stage disease. Cancer was suspected in 39%, and 36% were referred to a CPP. Comorbidity [prevalence ratio (PR): 0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.29-0.98] and no cancer suspicion (PR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.20-0.60) were associated with no referral to a CPP. The median DI was 36 days. Long DIs were associated with no cancer suspicion (median DI: 59 versus 20 days) and no referral to a CPP (median DI: 42 versus 23 days). CONCLUSIONS Nine in ten patients attended general practice with symptoms before diagnosis. Two-thirds initially presented with vague non-specific symptoms were less likely to be referred to a CPP and had longer DIs than women suspected of cancer. These findings underline the importance of supplementing the CPP with additional accelerated diagnostic routes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Louise L Baun
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus C, Denmark.,Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Henry Jensen
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Alina Z Falborg
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Hanne N Heje
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Lone K Petersen
- Department of Gynaecology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care (CaP), Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus C, Denmark
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Funston G, Van Melle M, Baun MLL, Jensen H, Helsper C, Emery J, Crosbie EJ, Thompson M, Hamilton W, Walter FM. Variation in the initial assessment and investigation for ovarian cancer in symptomatic women: a systematic review of international guidelines. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:1028. [PMID: 31676000 PMCID: PMC6823968 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-6211-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Women with ovarian cancer can present with a variety of symptoms and signs, and an increasing range of tests are available for their investigation. A number of international guidelines provide advice for the initial assessment of possible ovarian cancer in symptomatic women. We systematically identified and reviewed the consistency and quality of these documents. Methods MEDLINE, Embase, guideline-specific databases and professional organisation websites were searched in March 2018 for relevant clinical guidelines, consensus statements and clinical pathways, produced by professional or governmental bodies. Two reviewers independently extracted data and appraised documents using the Appraisal for Guidelines and Research Evaluation 2 (AGREEII) tool. Results Eighteen documents from 11 countries in six languages met selection criteria. Methodological quality varied with two guidance documents achieving an AGREEII score ≥ 50% in all six domains and 10 documents scoring ≥50% for “Rigour of development” (range: 7–96%). All guidance documents provided advice on possible symptoms of ovarian cancer, although the number of symptoms included in documents ranged from four to 14 with only one symptom (bloating/abdominal distension/increased abdominal size) appearing in all documents. Fourteen documents provided advice on physical examinations but varied in both the examinations they recommended and the physical signs they included. Fifteen documents provided recommendations on initial investigations. Transabdominal/transvaginal ultrasound and the serum biomarker CA125 were the most widely advocated initial tests. Five distinct testing strategies were identified based on the number of tests and the order of testing advocated: ‘single test’, ‘dual testing’, ‘sequential testing’, ‘multiple testing options’ and ‘no testing’. Conclusions Recommendations on the initial assessment and investigation for ovarian cancer in symptomatic women vary considerably between international guidance documents. This variation could contribute to differences in the way symptomatic women are assessed and investigated between countries. Greater research is needed to evaluate the assessment and testing approaches advocated by different guidelines and their impact on ovarian cancer detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garth Funston
- The Primary Care Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Marije Van Melle
- The Primary Care Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Marie-Louise Ladegaard Baun
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henry Jensen
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Charles Helsper
- Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jon Emery
- Centre for Cancer Research and Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Emma J Crosbie
- Gynaecological Oncology Research Group, Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Matthew Thompson
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Willie Hamilton
- University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Fiona M Walter
- The Primary Care Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Anderson JE, Ross AJ, Lim R, Kodate N, Thompson K, Jensen H, Cooney K. Nursing teamwork in the care of older people: A mixed methods study. Appl Ergon 2019; 80:119-129. [PMID: 31280795 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2019.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Healthcare is increasingly complex and requires the ability to adapt to changing demands. Teamwork is essential to delivering high quality care and is central to nursing. The aims of this study were to identify the processes that underpin nursing teamwork and how these affect the care of older people, identify the relationship between perceived teamwork and perceived quality of care, and explore in depth the experience of working in nursing teams. The study was carried out in three older people's wards in a London teaching hospital. Nurses and healthcare assistants completed questionnaires (n = 65) on known dynamics of teamwork (using the Nursing Teamwork Survey) together with ratings of organisational quality (using an adapted AHRQ HSPS scale). A sample (n = 22; 34%) was then interviewed about their perceptions of care, teamwork and how good outcomes are delivered in everyday work. Results showed that many care difficulties were routinely encountered, and confirmed the importance of teamwork (e.g. shared mental models of tasks and team roles and responsibilities, supported by leadership) in adapting to challenges. Perceived quality of teamwork was positively related to perceived quality of care. Work system variability and the external environment influenced teamwork, and confirmed the importance of team adaptive capacity. The CARE model shows the centrality of teamwork in adapting to variable demand and capacity to deliver care processes, and the influence of broader system factors on teamworking.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Anderson
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, UK.
| | - A J Ross
- Dental School, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - R Lim
- Reading School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, UK
| | - N Kodate
- School of Applied Social Science, University College Dublin, UK
| | - K Thompson
- School of Social Science, Liverpool Hope University, UK
| | - H Jensen
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - K Cooney
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Puererfellner H, De Potter T, Vijgen J, Grimaldi M, Natale A, Jensen H, Peichl P, Bulava A, Martinek M, Kristiansen S, Duytschaever M, Lukac P, Knecht S, Neuzil P, Kautzner J. P2844Novel temperature guided irrigated ablation catheter: reproducibility of procedural efficiencies and acute success to isolate the pulmonary veins from two multicenter, feasibility studies. Eur Heart J 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehz748.1154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background/Introduction
The novel catheter with 6 thermocouples for real-time temperature monitoring during irrigated radiofrequency ablation was designed to potentially enhance safety and effectiveness of the Smart Touch Surround Flow (STSF) catheter by incorporating real-time temperature sensing. A supplementary, novel algorithm was developed to modulate power to maintain target temperature during high power/short duration ablation (90W, 4s).
Purpose
This sub-analysis was performed to examine consistency and reproducibility of the procedural efficiencies and acute success of the novel catheter with optimized temperature control and microelectrodes in treating paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) across multiple sites from two initial feasibility studies, in standard (QMODE) and high power/short duration (QMODE+) temperature-control ablation modes.
Methods
The QDOT-MICRO (QMODE, NCT02944968; N=42) and QDOT-FAST (QMODE+, NCT03459196; N=52) studies were both prospective, non-randomized multi-center, clinical investigations completed across 6 and 7 centers, respectively, in Europe. Procedural efficiencies and acute success (PVI via entrance block) was examined across sites within the study.
Results
In the QDOT-MICRO study, median procedure time (105–155 min), RF ablation time (27.7–39.5 min), and fluoroscopy times (2.2–8 min) during QMODE ablation were similar across the 6 sites. In QMODE+ ablation, median procedure time, RF ablation time, and fluoroscopy times all fall within (84–134 min), (4.8–9.7 min) and (1.1–9.6 min), respectively, across the 7 sites. Fluid delivery by the study catheter was low in both studies: QDOT-MICRO 547±278mL (mean ± SD); QDOT-FAST 382±299. mL (mean ± SD); which is 39.1 and 57.4% lower, respectively, than reported in the SMART SF trial. Esophageal temperature probe was used in the majority of patients (30/42 for QDOT MICRO and 51/52 for QDOT-FAST). Acute PVI was successful in 100% of patients in both studies with no deaths or unanticipated AEs.
Conclusion(s)
In both feasibility studies, procedural efficiencies were reproducible across study sites in both QMODE and QMODE+, with 100% acute success and good safety outcomes. Efficiencies are likely to improve with further experience. These results need to be confirmed in larger trials.
Acknowledgement/Funding
Both Studies are Company Sponsored Studies funded by Biosense Webster, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - T De Potter
- Olv Hospital Aalst, Dienst Cardiologie, Aalst, Belgium
| | - J Vijgen
- Virga Jesse Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - M Grimaldi
- Regional General Hospital F. Miulli, Acquaviva Delle Fonti, Italy
| | - A Natale
- Regional General Hospital F. Miulli, Acquaviva Delle Fonti, Italy
| | - H Jensen
- Aarhus University Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - P Peichl
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKEM), Prague, Czechia
| | - A Bulava
- Regional Hospital of Ceske Budejovice, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - M Martinek
- Ordensklinikum Linz Elisabethinen, Linz, Austria
| | - S Kristiansen
- Aarhus University Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - P Lukac
- Aarhus University Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - S Knecht
- St-Jan Hospital, Brugge, Belgium
| | - P Neuzil
- Na Homolce Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - J Kautzner
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKEM), Prague, Czechia
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48
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Rasmussen LA, Jensen H, Virgilsen LF, Falborg AZ, Møller H, Vedsted P. Time from incident primary cancer until recurrence or second primary cancer: Risk factors and impact in general practice. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2019; 28:e13123. [PMID: 31231898 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Specialised follow-up care after cancer treatment is changing towards increased involvement of general practice. To ensure timely detection of new cancer events, knowledge is warranted on the timing of cancer recurrence (CR) and second primary cancer (SPC), including risk factors for CR. METHODS This population-based register study included 67,092 patients diagnosed with malignant melanoma, bladder, lung, ovarian, endometrial, colorectal and breast cancer in Denmark in 2008-2016. The time from primary cancer to CR or SPC and risk factors for prolonged time to CR were analysed and stratified on sex and primary cancer type. RESULTS Cancer recurrence proportions ranged from 6% to 35%. The risk of CR increased profoundly within the first 3 years and then levelled off, except for breast cancer. A total of 3%-6% of patients had SPC, with monotonously increasing cumulative incidence proportions. Besides primary tumour characteristics, lower educational level, living alone and comorbidity were associated with earlier CR. For example, in female malignant melanoma, HRs and 95% confidence intervals were 0.47 (0.37-0.61) for high educational level, 1.40 (1.16-1.68) for living alone and 2.38 (1.53-3.70) for high comorbidity. CONCLUSION The results may inform stratified risk assessment in decision of frequency, location and duration of post-cancer follow-up care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Aagaard Rasmussen
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henry Jensen
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Line Flytkjaer Virgilsen
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Alina Zalounina Falborg
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henrik Møller
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Danish Clinical Registries (RKKP), Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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49
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Jensen H, Møller H, Vedsted P. Characteristics of customary non-attenders in general practice who are diagnosed with cancer: A cross-sectional study in Denmark. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2019; 28:e13143. [PMID: 31433525 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore individual and structural factors in patients with cancer and their potential association with customary non-attendance in general practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study of all patients aged 50-89 years who were diagnosed with an incident cancer in 2009-2013 in Denmark. We investigated associations between being a customary non-attender (defined as having no consultations in general practice in the 19-36 months before diagnosis) and selected patient-related factors (demography, socioeconomic status), health-related factors (multimorbidity) and structural factors (urbanisation degree, list size of general practice and use of out-of-hours services) using logistic regression. RESULTS A total of 123,943 cancer patients were included; 11,567 (9.3%) of these were non-attenders. Non-attendance was associated with being more than 70 years of age, being single, having short or long education and being financially affluent. Non-attendance was rarely seen in cancer patients with (multi)morbidity, in individuals living in an area with 2,000-99,999 inhabitants and in individuals having contact with the out-of-hours services. CONCLUSION Specific groups of cancer patients were more often customary non-attenders in general practice. General practice may need to reach out more directly to these patients to ensure more timely cancer diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Jensen
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henrik Møller
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,The Danish Clinical Registries (RKKP), Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
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50
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Tørring ML, Falborg AZ, Jensen H, Neal RD, Weller D, Reguilon I, Menon U, Vedsted P, Almberg SS, Anandan C, Barisic A, Boylan J, Cairnduff V, Donnelly C, Fourkala EO, Gavin A, Grunfeld E, Hammersley V, Hawryluk B, Kearney T, Kelly J, Knudsen AK, Lambe M, Law R, Lin Y, Malmberg M, Moore K, Turner D, White V. Advanced‐stage cancer and time to diagnosis: An International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP) cross‐sectional study. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2019; 28:e13100. [DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marie L. Tørring
- Department of Anthropology, School of Culture and Society Aarhus University Højbjerg Denmark
| | - Alina Z. Falborg
- Research Unit for General Practice Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care Aarhus C Denmark
| | - Henry Jensen
- Research Unit for General Practice Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care Aarhus C Denmark
| | - Richard D. Neal
- Academic Unit of Primary Care, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences University of Leeds Leeds UK
| | - David Weller
- Centre for Population Health Sciences University of Edinburgh Edinburgh UK
| | | | - Usha Menon
- Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Women's Health University College London London UK
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Research Unit for General Practice Research Centre for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care Aarhus C Denmark
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