The elderly population are more vulnerable for the management of colorectal cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationwide, population-based study.

ABSTRACT:

Background/aims

The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the management of colorectal cancer (CRC) may worse in elderly population, as almost all COVID-19 deaths occurred in the elderly patients. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on CRC management in the elderly population.

Methods

The numbers of patients who underwent colonoscopy, who visited hospitals or operated for CRC in 2020 and 2021 (COVID-19 era) were compared with those in 2019, according to 3 age groups (≥70 years, 50-69 years, and ≤49 years), based on the nationwide, population-based database (2019-2021) in South Korea.

Results

The annual volumes of colonoscopy and hospital visits for CRC in 2020 were more significantly declined in the old age group than in the young age group

SUBMITTER: Kang HS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10626012 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature