Abdominal symptoms and cancer in the abdomen: prospective cohort study in European primary care.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Different abdominal symptoms may signal cancer, but their role is unclear.

Aim

To examine associations between abdominal symptoms and subsequent cancer diagnosed in the abdominal region.

Design and setting

Prospective cohort study comprising 493 GPs from surgeries in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Scotland, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Method

Over a 10-day period, the GPs recorded consecutive consultations and noted: patients who presented with abdominal symptoms pre-specified on the registration form; additional data on non-specific symptoms; and features of the consultation. Eight months later, data on all cancer diagnoses among all study patients in the participating general practices were requested from the GPs.

Results

Consultations with 61 80

SUBMITTER: Holtedahl K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5916077 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature