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Colorectal cancer follow-up after surgical resection since the COVID-19 pandemic: first steps towards out-of-hospital follow-up?

Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background The COVID-19 pandemic impacted outpatient clinic services globally. It is unknown how the pandemic affected the follow-up of surgically treated colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. This population-based study aimed to assess the trends in CRC follow-up consultations before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands. Materials and methods Nationwide health care activities data between January 2018 and July 2021 were merged with patient-level data from the Netherlands Cancer Registry of stage I-III CRC patients treated with surgical resection. The number of follow-up consultations per patient per year was calculated, and between-group differences were assessed with descriptive statistics. Trends in the number and setting of follow-up consultations were assessed using joinpoint regression analyses. Out-of-hospital follow-up was defined as written, telephone or video consultations. Results In total, 42 970 CRC patients were included. The median number of follow-up consultations per year per patient was 2.9 (interquartile range: 2.0-4.7). The median number of follow-up consultations increased with disease stage ( P < 0.001) and was higher for patients <60 years of age ( P < 0.001). The total number of follow-up consultations did not change during the study period ( P = 0.333). The percentage of out-of-hospital follow-up increased from 23% to 80% between January and April 2020 ( P < 0.001), and remained between 48% and 59% until the end of the study period. Conclusions This population-based study showed a great increased use of out-of-hospital consultations during CRC follow-up, which predominantly corresponded to the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic. Future studies should assess whether the use of out-of-hospital follow-up consultations has persisted after the pandemic.
DOI: 10.1016/j.esmorw.2024.100070
Authors: H. Swartjes, K.R. Voigt, L. Wullaert, J. Meijer, F.N. van Erning, C. Verhoef, D.J. Grünhagen, P.A.J. Vissers, J.H.W. de Wilt, S. Siesling, J.C. van Hoeve, M.A.W. Merkx, N.J. de Wit, C.W. Helsper, I. Dingemans, I.D. Nagtegaal, R. Saathof, C.H. van Gils, H.C.P.M. van Weert, M. Verheij
Institutions: Radboud University Medical Center, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation, University of Twente, Catharina Ziekenhuis, Radboud University Nijmegen, Utrecht University, University Medical Center Utrecht, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam University Medical Centers
Language: English
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,020
Funder: ZonMw
OpenAlex ID: W4402292414
FWCI:
Cites: 32
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Related to: 10