![]() Fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) are a low-cost alternative to colonoscopy for identifying patients at risk of CRC, however, for FITs to be effective, patients who receive an abnormal FIT result must obtain a timely follow-up colonoscopy in order to remove precancerous polyps or find cancer in early forms that can be successfully treated. Due to increased screening, CRC incidence and mortality has declined considerably over the past four decades, however many people who should be screened still do not get screened. Trial registration: National Clinical Trial (NCT) Identifier: NCT03925883.Ĭolorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States, accounting for an estimated 51,000 deaths in 2019. Our findings can inform efforts to improve follow-up colonoscopy uptake, reduce time to colonoscopy receipt, and save lives from colorectal cancer. DiscussionĮfforts to improve follow-up colonoscopy rates in health centers might focus on supporting the care transition from primary to specialty gastroenterology care and emphasize care for older uninsured patients and those having no recent clinic visits. Common reasons listed for non-completion were that the patient declined, or the provider could not reach the patient. insured) or had no clinic visit in the prior year (vs. ≥ 1 clinic visit). Pre-procedure visit and colonoscopy completion rates were relatively low in patients aged 65–75 (vs. Median time to colonoscopy was 83 days (interquartile range: 52–131 days). Of the 711 patients with an abnormal FIT result, 90% were referred to colonoscopy, but only 52% completed a pre-procedure visit, and 43% completed a colonoscopy within 1 year. We assessed one-year rates of colonoscopy referral, pre-procedure visit completion, colonoscopy completion, and time to colonoscopy associations between these outcomes and patient characteristics and reasons for non-completion found in the medical record. We abstracted the medical records of health center patients, aged 50–75 years, who had an abnormal FIT result between Augand Aug(N = 711). Little is known about patterns of follow-up colonoscopy completion in federally qualified health centers. Delays in receiving follow-up colonoscopy after an abnormal fecal immunochemical test (FIT) result are associated with increased colorectal cancer incidence and mortality.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |