Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39976937›Full record

ArticleJournal of public health (Oxford, England)2025

Attribution of colorectal cancer symptoms to medications for pre-existing chronic conditions: a secondary analysis of a vignette study in England.

Giovanni E Ricciardi, Flavia Pennisi, Christian Von Wagner, Lauren Smith, Aradhna Kaushal, Gary A Abel, Georgios Lyratzopoulos, Cristina Renzi

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of public health (Oxford, England), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing 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

5 citing papers in PubMed.

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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

8 authors.

Giovanni E RicciardiPhD National Programme in One Health Approaches to Infectious Diseases and Life Science Research, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy.
Flavia PennisiPhD National Programme in One Health Approaches to Infectious Diseases and Life Science Research, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy.
Christian Von WagnerEpidemiology of Cancer Healthcare & Outcomes (ECHO), Research Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care (IEHC), University College London, London, UK.
Lauren SmithEpidemiology of Cancer Healthcare & Outcomes (ECHO), Research Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care (IEHC), University College London, London, UK.
Aradhna KaushalEpidemiology of Cancer Healthcare & Outcomes (ECHO), Research Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care (IEHC), University College London, London, UK.
Gary A AbelUniversity of Exeter Medical School, Department of Health and Community Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, St Luke's Campus, Heavitree Road, Exeter EX1 2LU  UK.
Georgios LyratzopoulosEpidemiology of Cancer Healthcare & Outcomes (ECHO), Research Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care (IEHC), University College London, London, UK.
Cristina RenziSchool of Medicine, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, via Olgettina, 58, 20132, Milano, Italy.

Funding

Department of Health and Social CareNational Institute for Health and Care ResearchNIHR Programme Grants for Applied Research NIHR201070Screening and Early Diagnosis NIHR206132
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo investigate the likelihood of attributing colorectal cancer (CRC) symptoms to medications for chronic conditions.

methodsThe online vignette survey included 1287 participants aged ≥50 years, with quota sampling to recruit sufficient participants with type 2 diabetes. Participants self-reported chronic conditions and answered questions on symptom attribution and help-seeking, after reading vignettes describing new-onset rectal bleeding or change in bowel habit. Using multivariable logistic regression, we analyzed the association between specific conditions and attributing new-onset CRC symptoms to medications, controlling for demographics.

resultsAmong participants, 25% reported type 2 diabetes, 31% being overweight, 25% hypertension and 22% arthritis. Participants with diabetes, versus those without, had a higher likelihood of attributing change in bowel habit to medications [7% vs 3%; adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) 2.55, Confidence Interval (95% CI) 1.30-5.00]. This was also the case for participants reporting being overweight (7% vs 2%; aOR 2.36, 95% CI 1.25-4.44), arthritis (8% vs 3%; aOR 2.27, 95% CI 1.19-4.35), but not for hypertension. No significant association was found regarding attribution of rectal bleeding to medications.

conclusionsPatients with common chronic conditions have a higher likelihood of attributing change in bowel habit to medications. Tailored information is needed for these patients, encouraging them to discuss any new symptom with their doctor.

Indexed as

Colorectal NeoplasmsAgedChronic DiseaseDiabetes Mellitus, Type 2EnglandFemaleHumansHypertensionMaleMiddle AgedSurveys and Questionnaireschronic conditionscolorectal cancerdiagnostic delayssymptom attributiontherapy

Identifiers

PMID39976937
PMCPMC12123303

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Registered trials

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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.