COLORECTAL CANCER DIAGNOSTIC CIRCUIT PERFORMANCE AND ITS IMPACT BY THE COVID19 PANDEMIC AT THE GIRONA REFERRAL HOSPITAL

Aims Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Diagnostic Circuit (CDR) is designed to provide comprehensive care for suspected CRC. The suspension of endoscopic and healthcare activity due to COVID-19 could have affected the CDR performance.

Analyze the CDR performance in detecting CRC or clinically relevant lesions (CRL) and assess the impact of activity limitations due to covid-19.

Methods Comparative analysis of CDR referrals to our center from January-2019 to May-2021, made before 03/13/2020 (Pre-pandemic) Vs. after (Post-pandemic onset). Clinical data (age, sex, history, symptoms), laboratory data (FOBT, Hb), endoscopic diagnosis, morbidity and mortality are collected.

Endoscopic findings are classified into clinically relevant (CRL) or non-relevant (CNRL) lesions based on the SEED-AEG document.

Use of t-student test for statistical analysis.

Results:

Table 1

	TOTAL	Before PANDEMIC	After PANDEMIC start
CDR n(%)	417	246 (58.99)	171 (41.01)
Timing CDR-Colonoscopy (days)	22.42±15.64	28.8±18.79	17.59±10.49
CRL: CRC n(%)	40 (16.06)	19 (16.81)	21 (15.44)
Mortality n(%)	38 (9.11)	29 (11.79)	9 (5.26)

Conclusions Prioritization after restarting endoscopic activity allowed a shorter delay in performing CDR colonoscopies in our center (28.8 vs 17.6 days), this difference being statistically significant. The proportion of CRC diagnosed in CDR was similar in both periods.

Publication History

Article published online:
14 April 2022