Gaps in Guideline-Concordant Use of Diagnostic Tests Among Lung Cancer Patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Practice guidelines recommend routine use of pulmonary function tests (PFTs), computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET) for the workup of resectable lung cancer patients. Little is known about the frequency of guideline concordance in routine practice.

Methods

A cohort study (2007 to 2013) of 15,951 lung cancer patients undergoing lobectomy or pneumonectomy was conducted with MarketScan, a claims database of individuals with employer-provided health insurance. Guideline concordance was defined by claims for PFT within 180 days of resection and for CT and PET within 90 days of resection. Generalized linear models were used to evaluate temporal trends, patient characteristics, and costs associated with guideline-concordant care.

Results

SUBMITTER: Flanagan MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4870002 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature