The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical practices related to colorectal cancer and colonoscopy in South Korea: a nationwide population-based study.

ABSTRACT:

Background/aims

Despite of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there is little data regarding its impact on colorectal cancer (CRC)-related clinical practice. This study aimed to assess the changes in its impact during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This was a retrospective national population-based study using the Health Insurance Review and Assessment database from January 2019 to December 2021. The number of patients in 2020 and 2021 was compared with those in 2019 for the diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy, CRC-related operation, and any treatment for CRC.

Results

The annual number of patients undergoing diagnostic colonoscopies decreased by 6.9% in 2020 but increased 8.1% in 2021, compared to those in 2019; number of patients undergoing therapeu

SUBMITTER: Yoon JY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11834355 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature