Patterns of Healthcare Utilization Leading to Diagnosis of Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer (yCRC): Population-Based Case-Control Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The increasing risk of young-onset colorectal cancer (yCRC) in adults < 50 years has called for better understanding of patients' pathways to diagnosis. This study evaluated patterns of healthcare utilization before diagnosis of yCRC.

Methods

Using linked administrative health databases in British Columbia, Canada, we identified yCRC cases and cancer-free controls matched (1:10) on age, sex, and healthcare utilization. The index date was the date of diagnosis for yCRC cases and matched date for controls. Outpatient visits, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations over a 5-year prediagnosis period (e.g., year-1 to year-5) were compared using descriptive statistics and Poisson regression models.

Results

The study included 2567 yCRC cases (49.6% fe

SUBMITTER: Farooq A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9454837 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature