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Publication Briefs

Do Delays in Diagnostic Colonoscopy Affect Colorectal Cancer Outcomes?


The demand for colonoscopy has increased, but limited capacity requires informed decision-making regarding setting screening priorities for colorectal cancer (CRC). Very few studies have addressed the issue of lag time between referral for colonoscopy and CRC diagnosis. Investigators in this retrospective cohort study of veterans with newly diagnosed CRC examined the lag time between referral and diagnosis of CRC – and the lag time between diagnosis and treatment. They also examined the relationship between these two lag periods with CRC stage at the time of diagnosis and survival rates. Veterans included in this study (n=289) were diagnosed with CRC between 1/00 and 6/05 at one VAMC in Houston, TX.

Findings show no meaningful association between mortality in veterans with CRC and lag times between referral for colonoscopy and CRC diagnosis for periods up to two-three months. In this study cohort, there was a 41-day median lag time between referral and diagnosis in veterans with CRC. Veterans with symptoms, abnormal labs or imaging studies had the shortest lag time between referral and diagnosis, as well as the most advanced cancer stage and shortest survival rates. The longest survival rates were found among veterans whose CRC was detected through CRC screening, mostly fecal occult blood tests.

PubMed Logo Wattacheril J, Kramer J, Richardson P, Havemann B, Green L, Le A, and El-Serag H. Lagtimes in diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer: Determinants and association with cancer stage and survival. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics November 1, 2008;28(9):1166-1174.

Dr. El-Serag is part of HSR&D’s Houston Center for Quality of Care and Utilization Studies.

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What are HSR Publication Briefs?

HSR requires notification by HSR-funded investigators about all articles accepted for publication. These journal articles are reviewed by HSR and publication briefs or summaries are written for a select number of articles that are then forwarded to VHA Central Office leadership to keep them informed about important findings or information. Articles to be summarized are selected by HSR based on timeliness of the findings, interest of leadership, or potential impact on the organization. Publication briefs are written for only a small number of HSR published articles. Visit the HSR citations database for a complete listing of HSR articles and presentations.


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