Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34871389›Full record

ArticleFamily practice2022

Patient-reported diagnostic intervals to colorectal cancer diagnosis in the Midland region of New Zealand: a prospective cohort study.

Tania Blackmore, Lynne Chepulis, Keenan Rawiri, Jacquie Kidd, Tim Stokes, Melissa Firth, Mark Elwood, David Weller, Jon Emery, Ross Lawrenson

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Family practice, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Tania BlackmoreMedical Research Centre, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.ORCID 0000-0002-9411-0440
Lynne ChepulisMedical Research Centre, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Keenan RawiriMedical Research Centre, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Jacquie KiddAuckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.
Tim StokesDepartment of General Practice and Rural Health, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Melissa FirthMedical Research Centre, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Mark ElwoodSchool of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
David WellerCentre for Population Health Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
Jon EmeryMedicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-5274-6336
Ross LawrensonMedical Research Centre, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND

objectivesNew Zealand (NZ) has high rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) but low rates of early detection. The majority of CRC is diagnosed through general practice, where lengthy diagnostic intervals are common. We investigated factors contributing to diagnostic delay in a cohort of patients newly diagnosed with CRC.

methodsPatients were recruited from the Midland region and interviewed about their diagnostic experience using a questionnaire based on a modified Model of Pathways to Treatment framework and SYMPTOM questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the population characteristics. Chi-square analysis and logistic regression were used to analyse factors influencing diagnostic intervals.

resultsData from 176 patients were analysed, of which 65 (36.9%) experienced a general practitioner (GP) diagnostic interval of >120 days and 96 (54.5%) experienced a total diagnostic interval (TDI) > 120 days. Patients reporting rectal bleeding were less likely to experience a long TDI (odds ratio [OR] 0.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.14-0.78) and appraisal/help-seeking interval (OR, 0.19, 95% CI: 0.06-0.59). Patients <60 were more likely to report a longer appraisal/help-seeking interval (OR, 3.32, 95% CI: 1.17-9.46). Female (OR, 2.19, 95% CI: 1.08-4.44) and Māori patients (OR, 3.18, 95% CI: 1.04-9.78) were more likely to experience a long GP diagnostic interval.

conclusionNZ patients with CRC can experience long diagnostic intervals, attributed to patient and health system factors. Young patients, Māori, females, and patients experiencing change of bowel habit may be at particular risk. We need to increase symptom awareness of CRC for patients and GPs. Concentrated efforts are needed to ensure equity for Māori in access to screening, diagnostics, and treatment.

Indexed as

Colorectal NeoplasmsDelayed DiagnosisCohort StudiesEarly Detection of CancerFemaleHumansNew ZealandPatient Reported Outcome MeasuresProspective Studiesbowelcolorectal cancerdelayed diagnosisgeneral practiceNew Zealandquestionnaire

Identifiers

PMID34871389
PMCPMC9295611

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.