Geographic Distribution and Survival Outcomes for Rural Patients With Cancer Treated in Clinical Trials.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Studies showing that patients with cancer from rural areas have worse outcomes than their urban counterparts have relied on cancer population data and did not account for differences in access to care. Clinical trial patients receive protocol-directed care by design, so large clinical trial databases are ideal for examining the impact of rural vs urban residency on outcomes.

Objective

To compare the geographic distribution and survival outcomes for rural vs urban patients with cancer treated in clinical trials.

Design, setting, and participants

In this comparative effectiveness retrospective cohort analysis, 36 995 patients from all 50 states enrolled in 44 phase 3 and phase 2/3 SWOG (formerly the Southwest Oncology Group) treatment trials from January 1, 1

SUBMITTER: Unger JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6324281 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature