Abstract

PEREIRO SANCHEZ, Elena et al. Delayed diagnosis in colorectal cancer based on background. Rev Clin Med Fam [online]. 2012, vol.5, n.3, pp.176-181. ISSN 2386-8201.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1699-695X2012000300005.

Objective: To determine the existence of differences in the delayed diagnosis of colorectal cancer attributable to the provider based on background (rural/urban) and to assess the repercussion that the delay may produce on the extension of the tumour by staging. Design of the study: Cross-sectional observational study Location: Health care service in the province of Orense. Participants: All patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer registered at the Orense Hospital Complex in the years 2006 y 2007. Main measurements. The following were determined: sex and age at time of diagnosis, background (rural/urban), date of the patient's first contact with the health system (family practitioner, emergencies, other), date of staging, degree of extension at time of diagnosis and delay in diagnosis (date of staging minus date of patient's first contact) Results: 549 cases were included, with an average age of 72.6 years (DE 11,2) and 64.5% from a rural background. No significant differences in staging were found between the two areas. The mean delay in diagnosis was 87.2 days (DE 119,7), with a much higher incidence in the rural area (95,5 days [DE 135,5]) than in the urban area (71,5 days [DE 79,7]). The lineal regression showed that a longer delay was associated with the rural area. Conclusions: In colorectal cancer, a rural background implies a greater delay in diagnosis attributable to the provider than in an urban area, although it is not accompanied by (assoc iated with) a more advanced staging.

Keywords : Colorectal neoplasms; Delayed diagnosis; Neoplasm staging; Rural population; Urban population; Health inequalities.

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