Cancer diagnosis after emergency presentations in people with mental health and substance use conditions: a national cohort study

BACKGROUND

Cancer survival and mortality outcomes for people with mental health and substance use conditions (MHSUC) are worse than for people without MHSUC, which may be partly explained by poorer access to timely and appropriate healthcare, from screening and diagnosis through to treatment and follow-up. Access and quality of healthcare can be evaluated by comparing the proportion of people who receive a cancer diagnosis following an acute or emergency hospital admission (emergency presentation) across different population groups: those diagnosed with cancer following an emergency presentation have lower survival.

METHODS

National mental health service use datasets (2002-2018) were linked to national cancer registry and hospitalisation data (2006-2018), to create a study population of people aged 15 years and older with one of four cancer diagnoses: lung, prostate, breast and colorectal. The exposure group included people with a history of mental health/addiction service contact within the five years before cancer diagnosis, with a subgroup of people with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or psychotic disorders. Marginal standardised rates were used to compare emergency presentations (hospital admission within 30 days of cancer diagnosis) in the exposure and comparison groups, adjusted for age, gender (for lung and colorectal cancers), ethnicity, area deprivation and stage at diagnosis.

RESULTS

For all four cancers, the rates of emergency presentation in the fully adjusted models were significantly higher in people with a history of mental health/addiction service use than people without (lung cancer, RR 1.19, 95% CI 1.13, 1.24; prostate cancer RR 1.69, 95% CI 1.44, 1.93; breast cancer RR 1.42, 95% CI 1.14, 1.69; colorectal cancer 1.31, 95% CI 1.22, 1.39). Rates were substantially higher in those with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or psychotic disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementing pathways for earlier detection and diagnosis of cancers in people with MHSUC could reduce the rates of emergency presentation, with improved cancer survival outcomes. All health services, including cancer screening programmes, primary and secondary care, have a responsibility to ensure equitable access to healthcare for people with MHSUC.

Emergency presentation of colorectal cancer in older adults: A retrospective cohort analysis

INTRODUCTION

Adults aged 70 years and over account for almost 60% of colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnoses in the United Kingdom. Whilst emergency presentation of CRC is known to be associated with poorer outcomes across all ages, older adults are less likely to be treated with curative intent and have poorer overall survival (OS). We aimed to investigate whether presentation, management, or outcome differed in older (≥70 years) versus younger (<70 years) adults in our population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The electronic records of patients diagnosed with CRC within the period 2016 to 2019 in National Health Service (NHS) Tayside, Scotland were retrospectively analysed. Patients were grouped by age (<70 years and ≥70 years). Demographics were compared by Chi-squared or t-test, and Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard regression were used for survival analyses.

RESULTS

In total, 1245 patients were diagnosed with CRC (median age 71 years, range 20-98). Of these, 215 patients (17.3%) presented emergently and were included in the analysis. Older adults accounted for 65.1% (n = 140) of emergency presentations. Older adults were less likely to present with classical symptoms of CRC (80.0% vs 90.7%, p = 0.04) and more likely to present via the medical assessment unit (46.4% vs 30.7%, p = 0.03). Additionally, older adults were less likely to receive a histological diagnosis of CRC (71.4% vs 97.3%, p < 0.001) or have complete staging investigations performed (78.6% vs 96.0%, p < 0.001). Fewer older adults underwent surgical management (55.0% vs 86.7%, p < 0.001) and fewer were treated with chemotherapy (14.3% vs 69.3%, p < 0.001). Whilst older adults had poorer median OS than those aged <70 years (12.0 vs 34.4 months, p < 0.001), multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression demonstrated that higher stage (stage III hazard ratio [HR] 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6-4.7, stage IV HR 16.7, 95% CI 9.7-28.8, incomplete HR 8.2, 95% CI 4.6-14.7) and not receiving chemotherapy (HR 2.6, 95% CI 1.7-4.0) were associated with poorer survival, whereas age and sex were not.

DISCUSSION

Emergency presentation of colorectal cancer was more common in older adults. Older adults were more likely to present atypically, less likely to have completed staging, and had lower rates of intervention, which were associated with poorer survival outcome.

Emergency Presentations Predict Worse Outcomes Among Patients with Pancreatic Cancer

BACKGROUND

Emergency presentation (EP) of cancer, a new cancer diagnosis made following an emergency department (ED) visit, is associated with worse patient outcomes and greater organizational stress on healthcare systems. Pancreatic cancer has the highest rate of EPs among European studies but remains understudied in the U.S.

AIMS

To evaluate the association between pancreatic cancer EPs and cancer stage, treatment, and survival.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study among patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma diagnosed from 2007 to 2019 at a tertiary-care Veterans Affairs medical center. Electronic health records were reviewed to identify EP cases, defined as a new pancreatic cancer diagnosis made within 30 days of an ED visit where cancer was suspected. We used multivariate logistic regression models and Cox proportional hazards models to examine the associations between EPs and cancer stage, treatment, and survival.

RESULTS

Of 243 pancreatic cancer patients, 66.7% had EPs. There was no difference in stage by EP status. However, patients diagnosed through EPs were 72% less likely to receive cancer treatment compared to non-emergency presenters (adjusted OR 0.28; 95% CI 0.13-0.57). Patients with EPs also had a 73% higher mortality risk (adjusted HR 1.73; 95% CI 1.29-2.34). This difference in mortality remained statistically significant after adjusting for cancer stage and receipt of cancer treatment (adjusted HR 1.47; 95% CI 1.09-1.99).

CONCLUSIONS

Pancreatic cancer EPs are common and independently associated with lower treatment rates and survival. Enhanced understanding of process breakdowns that lead to EPs can help identify care gaps and inform future quality improvement efforts.

Time intervals and previous primary care consultations in the pathway to emergency cancer diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Time intervals and number of prior consultations in primary care (PC) are recognised metrics of diagnostic timeliness of cancer and are interrelated. However, whether and how the two measures correlate with each other in the emergency diagnostic pathway is unknown. We investigated the association between the number of prereferral consultations and the length of intervals from PC presentation to cancer diagnosis following emergency referral to hospital.

METHODS

Patients were eligible if they first consulted in PC and were diagnosed with cancer following emergency or nonemergency referral to hospital. We analysed for differences in PC and diagnostic intervals and number of consultations between emergency and nonemergency presenters and determined their associations by cancer type. Differences in presenting symptoms and stage at diagnosis between populations and according to number of consultations were also examined.

RESULTS

There were 796 emergency and 865 nonemergency presenters with comparable sociodemographic and comorbidity data. Correlation analysis in emergency presenters revealed a strong positive association between number of consultations and intervals for seven of 13 different cancers, including cancers characterised by high proportions of > 3 consultations and long intervals (pancreatic, lung, and colorectal cancer) and vice versa for others (e.g., endometrial, cervical, or oesophageal cancer). Additionally, emergency presenters with > 3 consultations were more likely than those with 1-2 to report nonspecific symptoms (60 vs. 40%, respectively) and to be diagnosed at a later stage.

CONCLUSION

System level interventions are needed to reduce unnecessary delays in the emergency diagnostic pathway, particularly in cancer patients with multiple prereferral consultations. The findings also suggest opportunities to reduce the proportion of emergency diagnoses by targeting symptomatic individuals pre-presentation.

Regional variation in routes to diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma in England from 2006 to 2017

BACKGROUND

Incidence of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is rising, with overall prognosis re-maining very poor. Reasons for the high mortality of CCA include its late presentation in most patients, when curative options are no longer feasible, and poor response to systemic therapies for advanced disease. Late presentation presents a large barrier to improving outcomes and is often associated with diagnosis via mergency presentation (EP). Earlier diagnoses may be made by Two Week Wait (TWW) referrals through General practitioner (GP). We hypothesise that TWW referrals and EP routes to diagnosis differ across regions in England.

AIM

To investigate routes to diagnosis of CCA over time, regional variation and influencing factors.

METHODS

We linked patient records from the National Cancer Registration Dataset to Hospital Episode Statistics, Cancer Waiting Times and Cancer Screening Programme datasets to define routes to diagnosis and certain patient characteristics for patients diagnosed 2006-2017 in England. We used linear probability models to investigate geographic variation by assessing the proportions of patients diagnosed via TWW referral or EP across Cancer Alliances in England, adjusting for potential confounders. Correlation between the proportion of people diagnosed by TWW referral and EP was investigated with Spearman’s correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

Of 23632 patients diagnosed between 2006-2017 in England, the most common route to diagnosis was EP (49.6%). Non-TWW GP referrals accounted for 20.5% of diagnosis routes, 13.8% were diagnosed by TWW referral, and the remainder 16.2% were diagnosed via an ‘other’ or Unknown route. The proportion diagnosed via a TWW referral doubled between 2006-2017 rising from 9.9% to 19.8%, conversely EP diagnosis route declined, falling from 51.3% to 46.0%. Statistically significant variation in both the TWW referral and EP proportions was found across Cancer Alliances. Age, presence of comorbidity and underlying liver disease were independently associated with both a lower proportion of patients diagnosed via TWW referral, and a higher proportion diagnosed by EP after adjusting for other potential confounders.

CONCLUSION

There is significant geographic and socio-demographic variation in routes to diagnosis of CCA in England. Knowledge sharing of best practice may improve diagnostic pathways and reduce unwarranted variation.

Emergency presentation prior to lung cancer diagnosis: A national-level examination of disparities and survival outcomes

OBJECTIVES

A recent multinational investigation of emergency presentation within 30 days of cancer diagnosis, conducted within the International Cancer Benchmarking Programme (ICBP), observed that New Zealand had the highest rate of emergency presentation prior to lung cancer diagnosis compared to other similar countries. Here we use national-level health data to further investigate these trends, focussing on ethnic disparities in emergency presentation prior to lung cancer diagnosis. We have also compared survival outcomes between those who had an emergency presentation in the preceding 30 days to those who did not.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our study included all lung cancer registrations between 2007 and 2019 on the New Zealand Cancer Registry (N = 27,869), linked to national hospitalisation and primary healthcare data. We used descriptive (crude and age-standardised proportions) and logistic regression (crude and adjusted odds ratios) analyses to examine primary care access prior to cancer diagnosis, emergency hospitalisation up to and including 30 days prior to diagnosis, and one-year mortality post-diagnosis, both for the total population and between ethnicities. Regression models adjusted for age, sex, deprivation, rurality, comorbidity, tumour type and stage.

RESULTS

We found stark disparities by ethnic group, with 62% of Pacific peoples and 54% of Māori having an emergency presentation within 30 days prior to diagnosis, compared to 47% of Europeans. These disparities remained after adjusting for multiple covariates including comorbidity and deprivation (adj. OR: Māori 1.21, 95% CI 1.13-1.30; Pacific 1.50, 95% CI 1.31-1.71). Emergency presentation was associated with substantially poorer survival outcomes across ethnic groups (e.g. 1-year mortality for Māori: no emergency presentation 50%, emergency presentation 79%; adj. OR 2.40, 95% CI 2.10-2.74).

CONCLUSIONS

These observations reinforce the need for improvements in the early detection of lung cancer, particularly for Māori and Pacific populations, with a view to preventing diagnosis of these cancers in an emergency setting.

Pandemic-related emergency psychiatric presentations for self-harm of children and adolescents in 10 countries (PREP-kids): a retrospective international cohort study

To examine the differences in hospital emergency psychiatric presentations for self-harm of children and adolescents during the covid-19 lockdown in March and April 2020 compared with the same period in 2019. Retrospective cohort study. We used electronic patient records from 23 hospital emergency departments in ten countries grouped into 14 areas. We examined data on 2073 acute hospital presentations by 1795 unique children and adolescents through age 18. We examined the total number of emergency psychiatric hospital presentations and the proportion of children and adolescents presenting with severe self-harm as our two main outcome measures. In addition, we examined sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and clinical management variables for those presenting with self-harm. To compare the number of hospital presentations between 2020 and 2019 a negative binomial model was used. For other variables, individual participant data (IPD) meta-analyses were carried out. Emergency psychiatric hospital presentations decreased from 1239 in 2019 to 834 in 2020, incident rate ratio 0.67, 95% CI 0.62-0.73; p < 0.001. The proportion of children and adolescents presenting with self-harm increased from 50% in 2019 to 57% in 2020, odds ratio 1.33, 1.07-1.64; p = 0.009 but there was no difference in the proportion presenting with severe self-harm. Within the subpopulation presenting with self-harm the proportion of children and adolescents presenting with emotional disorders increased from 58 to 66%, odds ratio 1.58, 1.06-2.36; p = 0.025. The proportion of children and adolescents admitted to an observation ward also decreased from 13 to 9% in 2020, odds ratio 0.52, 0.28-0.96; p = 0.036. Service planners should consider that, during a lockdown, there are likely to be fewer emergency psychiatric presentations. Many children and adolescents with psychiatric emergencies might not receive any service. A focus on developing intensive community care services with outreach capabilities should be prioritised.

Factors associated with emergency-onset diagnosis, time to treatment and type of treatment in colorectal cancer patients in Norway

Background

International differences in survival among colorectal cancer (CRC) patients may partly be explained by differences in emergency presentations (EP), waiting times and access to treatment.

Methods

CRC patients registered in 2015–2016 at the Cancer Registry of Norway were linked with the Norwegian Patient Registry and Statistics Norway. Multivariable logistic regressions analysed the odds of an EP and access to surgery, radiotherapy and systemic anticancer treatment (SACT). Multivariable quantile regression analysed time from diagnosis to treatment.

Results

Of 8216 CRC patients 29.2% had an EP before diagnosis, of which 81.4% were admitted to hospital with a malignancy-related condition. Higher age, more advanced stage, more comorbidities and colon cancer were associated with increased odds of an EP (p < 0.001). One-year mortality was 87% higher among EP patients (HR=1.87, 95%CI:1.75–2.02). Being married or high income was associated with 30% reduced odds of an EP (p < 0.001). Older age was significantly associated with increased waiting time to treatment (p < 0.001). Region of residence was significantly associated with waiting time and access to treatment (p < 0.001). Male (OR = 1.30, 95%CI:1.03,1.64) or married (OR = 1.39, 95%CI:1.09,1.77) colon cancer patients had an increased odds of SACT. High income rectal cancer patients had an increased odds (OR = 1.48, 95%CI:1.03,2.13) of surgery.

Conclusion

Patients who were older, with advanced disease or more comorbidities were more likely to have an emergency-onset diagnosis and less likely to receive treatment. Income was not associated with waiting time or access to treatment among CRC patients, but was associated with the likelihood of surgery among rectal cancer patients.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08415-1.

Pancreatic Cancer Surgery Following Emergency Department Admission: Understanding Poor Outcomes and Disparities in Care

BACKGROUND

The impact of emergency department admission prior to pancreatic resection on perioperative outcomes is not well described. We compared patients who underwent pancreatic cancer surgery following admission through the emergency department (ED-surgery) with patients receiving elective pancreatic cancer surgery (elective) and outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was used to identify patients undergoing pancreatectomy for cancer over 5 years (2008-2012). Demographics and hospital characteristics were assessed, along with perioperative outcomes and disposition status.

RESULTS

A total of 8158 patients were identified, of which 516 (6.3%) underwent surgery after admission through the ED. ED-surgery patients were more often socioeconomically disadvantaged (non-White 39% vs. 18%, Medicaid or uninsured 24% vs. 7%, from lowest income area 33% vs. 21%; all p < .0001), had higher comorbidity (Elixhauser score > 6: 44% vs. 26%, p < .0001), and often had pancreatectomy performed at sites with lower annual case volume (< 7 resections/year: 53% vs. 24%, p < .0001). ED-surgery patients were less likely to be discharged home after surgery (70% vs. 82%, p < .0001) and had higher mortality (7.4% vs. 3.5%, p < .0001). On multivariate analysis, ED-surgery was independently associated with a lower likelihood of being discharged home (aOR 0.55 (95%CI 0.43-0.70)).

CONCLUSION

Patients undergoing pancreatectomy following ED admission experience worse outcomes compared with those who undergo surgery after elective admission. The excess of socioeconomically disadvantaged patients in this group suggests factors other than clinical considerations alone drive this decision. This study demonstrates the need to consider presenting patient circumstances and preoperative oncologic coordination to reduce disparities and improve outcomes for pancreatic cancer surgery.

Stage of ovarian cancer at diagnosis. Does presentation as an emergency make a difference?

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether presentation of ovarian cancer as an emergency compared to presentation via referral to diagnostic clinic has an impact on stage of disease at diagnosis. Secondary outcomes include the relationship between stage of diagnosis and age as well as socioeconomic status and type of presentation (emergency or clinic referral).

STUDY DESIGN

Data were obtained from the central database for all new diagnoses of ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal malignancy at a tertiary teaching hospital for 2016-2018 (n = 147). The electronic patient records were manually reviewed to determine the patient's presentation. Age and stage at diagnosis were from the central records. Socioeconomic status was determined by the multiple deprivation index deciles obtained from patient postcode data. Non parametric chi squared analysis was used to assess for any significant results.

RESULTS

51 % of women presented through a gynaecology two-week wait service; 27 % presented as an emergency admission; 12 % through a routine gynaecology outpatient clinic and 10 % after initial referral to a non-gynaecological two-week wait service. There was a significant (p = 0.008) association with later stage disease and emergency presentation. Increased age was also strongly linked to later stage at diagnosis (p = 0.00001). There was no association between stage at diagnosis and socioeconomic status.

CONCLUSIONS

Emergency presentations account for just over a quarter of new diagnoses and are significantly associated with later stage disease with increased morbidity and mortality. Older women were also more likely to present at an advanced stage. Socioeconomic status did not impact on staging at diagnosis.

The epidemiology of emergency presentations for falls from height across Western Victoria, Australia

BACKGROUND

In order to implement intervention strategies to prevent falls from height, epidemiological data are needed. The aim of this study was to map emergency presentations for falls from height in residents aged ≥40yr of the western region of Victoria, Australia.

METHODS

Emergency presentations following a fall from height (≥1m) were obtained from electronic medical records for 2014-2016 inclusive. For each Local Government Area, age-standardised incidence rates (per 10,000 population/year) were calculated.

RESULTS

The age-standardised incidence rate was lowest in the Northern Grampians (3.4 95%CI 0.8-5.9), which has several main industries including health care, agriculture and manufacturing. The highest rates occurred in Corangamite (26.0 95%CI 19.9-32.0), Colac-Otway (23.7 95%CI 18.5-28.8) and Moyne (22.5 95%CI 16.8-28.3), which are sparsely populated (15,000-20,000 people each). Patterns were similar for men and women. Most falls occurred during "leisure" (38.0%), followed by "other work" (15.4%). Men were more likely than women to experience a fall from height while undertaking work activities. Many falls occurred in the home (53.2%).

CONCLUSION

Future research should inform strategies to prevent falls from height in the region. This could include specific locations such as the home or farm, and during leisure activities or work.

The epidemiology of emergency presentations for falls across Western Victoria, Australia

BACKGROUND

In order to develop and implement prevention strategies for falls, comprehensive epidemiological data are required. Therefore, this study mapped emergency presentations for falls across the western region of Victoria, Australia, encompassing urban, regional and rural areas.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study utilised electronic data for emergency presentations following a fall from <1m for individuals aged ≥40yr during 2014-2016 inclusive. Age-standardised incidence rates (per 1000 population/year) were calculated for each Local Government Area (LGA).

RESULTS

Age-standardised falls incidence varied across the LGAs, with the lowest occurring in the Rural City of Ararat LGA (4.4; 95%CI:3.5-5.4) and the highest for the City of Warrnambool (25.1; 95%CI:23.7-26.6), Colac-Otway (24.7; 95%CI:23.0-26.4) and Moyne (23.0; 95%CI:21.2-24.8). Patterns were similar for men and women when stratified by sex across these LGAs. For men and women combined, most patients arrived at the hospital using private transportation (55.3%) or road ambulance service (43.1%). Most falls occurred during leisure activities (48.0%) in a home setting (54.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher rates of falls presentations were observed in southern LGAs and most commonly occurred at home, during leisure activity. Future research should identify specific intervention strategies to reduce falls in the region, based on the data reported from this study.

Taking care of our own: A narrative review of cancer care services-led models of care providing emergent care to patients with cancer

PURPOSE

To synthesise available evidence on cancer care services-led models of care in the acute care setting that aim to reduce emergency presentations and/or hospital admissions for patients with cancer.

METHODS

A narrative review of studies describing models of care for patients with cancer and emergent healthcare needs was undertaken. Four databases were searched using keywords to identify primary research or quality improvement articles published between January 2005-June 2017.

RESULTS

After a systematic search, 22 studies were included in the review. The methodological quality of the included studies was poor when assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Most studies were retrospective and set in a single centre. The overarching outcomes associated with the most commonly described models of care (telephone advice services and/or unplanned care and assessment units) were improved coordination of care/continuity of care, prompt access to specialist care, reduced utilisation of emergency departments, fewer hospital admissions and reduced cost. At the time of this review, evaluation of Nurse Practitioner-led services and acute oncology services had been limited.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings indicate several models of care reduce emergency presentations and/or hospitalisations for those living with cancer and improve patient outcomes. What remains unclear is which underlying mechanisms reduce emergency presentations and/or hospitalisations for patients with cancer and whether successful models of care are uniquely suited to specific contexts of care or applicable across different healthcare settings. More research is needed to assist healthcare services to develop and evaluate models of care to address the emergent needs of people with cancer.

Which indicators of early cancer diagnosis from population-based data sources are associated with short-term mortality and survival?

BACKGROUND

A key component of recent English cancer policy is the monitoring of trends in early diagnosis of cancer. Early diagnosis can be defined by the disease stage at diagnosis or by other indicators derived from electronic health records. We evaluate the association between different early diagnosis indicators and survival, and discuss the implementation of the indicators in surveillance of early diagnosis.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed database and grey literature to identify early diagnosis indicators and evaluate their association with survival. We analysed cancer registrations for 355,502 cancer patients diagnosed in England during the period 2009-2013, and quantified the association between each early diagnosis indicator and 30-day mortality and five-year net survival.

RESULTS

Each incremental difference in stage (I-IV) predicts lower 5-year survival, so prognostic information is lost in comparisons which use binary stage indicators. Patients without a recorded stage have high risk of death shortly following diagnosis and lower 5-year survival. Emergency presentation is independently associated with lower five-year survival. Shorter intervals between first symptoms and diagnosis are not consistently associated with improved survival, potentially due to confounding from tumour characteristics.

INTERPRETATION

Contrary to current practice, we recommend that all the stage information should be used in surveillance. Patients missing stage should also be included to minimise bias. Combined data on stage and emergency presentation could be used to create summary prognostic measures. More work is needed to create statistics based on the diagnostic interval that will be useful for surveillance.

Trends in lung cancer emergency presentation in England, 2006-2013: is there a pattern by general practice?

BACKGROUND

Emergency presentations (EP) represent over a third of all lung cancer admissions in England. Such presentations usually reflect late stage disease and are associated with poor survival. General practitioners (GPs) act as gate-keepers to secondary care and so we sought to understand the association between GP practice characteristics and lung cancer EP.

METHODS

Data on general practice characteristics were extracted for all practices in England from the Quality Outcomes Framework, the Health and Social Care Information Centre, the GP Patient Survey, the Cancer Commissioning Toolkit and the area deprivation score for each practice. After linking these data to lung cancer patient registrations in 2006-2013, we explored trends in three types of EP, patient-led, GP-led and 'other', by general practice characteristics and by socio-demographic characteristics of patients.

RESULTS

Overall proportions of lung cancer EP decreased from 37.9% in 2006 to 34.3% in 2013. Proportions of GP-led EP nearly halved during this period, from 28.3 to 16.3%, whilst patient-led emergency presentations rose from 62.1 to 66.7%. When focusing on practice-specific levels of EP, 14% of general practices had higher than expected proportions of EP at least once in 2006-13, but there was no evidence of clustering of patients within practice, meaning that none of the practice characteristics examined explained differing proportions of EP by practice.

CONCLUSION

We found that the high proportion of lung cancer EP is not the result of a few practices with very abnormal patterns of EP, but of a large number of practices susceptible to reaching high proportions of EP. This suggests a system-wide issue, rather than problems with specific practices. High proportions of lung cancer EP are mainly the result of patient-initiated attendances in A&E. Our results demonstrate that interventions to encourage patients not to bypass primary care must be system wide rather than targeted at specific practices.

Emergency admission and survival from aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma: A report from the UK's population-based Haematological Malignancy Research Network

Background

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is often diagnosed after emergency presentation, a route associated with poor survival and an indicator of diagnostic delay. Accounting for around half of all NHLs, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is of particular interest since although it is potentially curable with standardised chemotherapy it can be challenging to identify at an early stage in the primary care setting.

Patients and methods

Set within a socio-demographically representative United Kingdom population of around 4 million people, data are from an established patient cohort. This report includes all patients (≥18 years) diagnosed with DLBCL 2004–2011 (n = 1660). Emergency admissions were identified via linkage to Hospital Episode Statistics using standard methods, and survival was examined using proportional hazards regression.

Results

Two out of every five patients were diagnosed following an emergency admission, and this was associated with advanced disease and poor survival (p < 0.001). Among the 80% of patients treated with curative chemotherapy, survival discrepancies emerged at the point of diagnosis; the adjusted hazard ratio (emergency versus non-emergency) at one month being 4.0 (95% confidence interval 1.9–8.2). No lasting impact was evident in patients who survived for 12 months or more.

Conclusion

Emergency presentation impacts negatively on DLBCL survival; patients presenting via this route have significantly poorer outcomes than patients with similar clinical characteristics who present via other routes.

•

Emergency presentation has a marked impact on non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) survival, not explained by disease stage or treatment.

•

Emergency presentation among patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is 50% higher in the United Kingdom than national data on non-Hodgkin lymphomas suggest.

•

Survival benefits from earlier diagnosis of potentially curable NHLs could exceed that of new treatments.

Emergency presenting colon cancer is an independent predictor of adverse disease-free survival. Int Surg. 2015;100:77-86. [PMID: 25594643 DOI: 10.9738/intsurg-d-13-00281.1]

Twenty percent of colon cancers present as an emergency. However, the association between emergency presentation and disease-free survival (DFS) remains uncertain. Consecutive patients who underwent elective (CC) and emergent (eCC) resection for colon cancer were included in the analysis. Survival outcomes were compared between the 2 groups in univariate/multivariate analyses. A total of 439 patients underwent colonic resection for colon cancer during the interval 2000-2010; 97 (22.1%) presented as an emergency. eCC tumors were more often located at the splenic flexure (P = 0.017) and descending colon (P = 0.004). The eCC group displayed features of more advanced disease with a higher proportion of T4 (P = 0.009), N2 tumors (P < 0.01) and lymphovascular invasion (P< 0.01). eCC was associated with adverse locoregional recurrence (P = 0.02) and adverse DFS (P < 0.01 ) on univariate analysis. eCC remained an independent predictor of adverse locoregional recurrence (HR 1.86, 95% CI 1.50-3.30, P = 0.03) and DFS (HR 1.30, 95% CI 0.88-1.92, P = 0.05) on multivariate analysis. eCC was not associated with adverse overall survival and systemic recurrence. eCC is an independent predictor of adverse locoregional recurrence and DFS.

The effect of emergency presentation on surgery and survival in lung cancer patients in England, 2006-2008

BACKGROUND

A large proportion of lung cancer patients in England are diagnosed through an emergency route, which is associated with poorer outcomes. Here, we investigated the association between emergency presentation and the odds of undergoing surgical resection and subsequent survival among lung cancer patients undergoing surgical resection as well as those who did not.

METHODS

Details of 93,783 lung cancers were extracted from the National Cancer Data Repository. For non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients we calculated odds ratios for undergoing surgical resection. Survival was assessed for resected NSCLC and for all other lung cancer patients in three different time intervals: short-term, intermediate and long-term.

RESULTS

Compared with those who did not, NSCLC patients presenting through an emergency route were less likely to undergo surgical resection (adjusted OR=0.22, 95% CI: 0.20-0.24). Patients who underwent surgical resection after an emergency presentation had lower survival in the intermediate period (adjusted HR=1.27, 95% CI: 1.06-1.54) and long term (adjusted HR=1.20, 95% CI: 0.99-1.45). Among all other lung cancer patients, those diagnosed through an emergency route had lower survival, particularly in the short-term (adjusted HR=3.54, 95% CI: 3.42-3.67), but the association remained in the intermediate (adjusted HR=1.66, 95% CI: 1.63-1.69) and long term (adjusted HR=1.10, 95% CI: 1.05-1.15).

CONCLUSION

The reduced access to surgical resection and lower survival among lung cancer patients who present through an emergency admission, highlights the importance of ensuring symptoms are recognised early so that presentation as an emergency can be reduced.