BACKGROUND: Open access flexible sigmoidoscopy (OAFS) is an integral part of colorectal cancer services. This study compares the impact of two types of open-access flexible sigmoidoscopy services on the utilisation of barium enema and tumour-stage migration. METHODS: This was a non-randomised comparison (over two one-year periods, four years apart) of two unselected groups of patients, with different inclusion criteria, in adjacent similarly populated health districts. One offered a nurse practitioner endoscopy service while the other had a doctor-led colorectal clinic. RESULTS: The doctor-led service with its broad inclusion criteria detected more colorectal cancers [13.2% versus 0.7%; OR = 16.05; 2.16-119.2]. Neither nurse practitioner (130 cases) nor doctor-led (262 cases) flexible sigmoidoscopy reduced the total number of barium enemas [Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.16 (95% CI 1.03-1.3)]. However, the doctor-led service did reduce the number of barium enemas requested by general practitioners (from 249 to 152). The total number of colorectal cancers (detected by all available methods) were similar [OR = 0.82 (0.53-1.25)] and both services resulted in a similar tumour-stage migration [OR = 1.39 (0.31-6.23)]. CONCLUSION: Open access flexible sigmoidoscopy services have minimal impact on the utilisation of radiology services. Broader inclusion criteria of doctor-led services produce a higher cancer-yield. Tumour-stage migration may be related to greater awareness of colorectal cancer symptoms rather than to the type of OAFS.
BACKGROUND: Open access flexible sigmoidoscopy (OAFS) is an integral part of colorectal cancer services. This study compares the impact of two types of open-access flexible sigmoidoscopy services on the utilisation of barium enema and tumour-stage migration. METHODS: This was a non-randomised comparison (over two one-year periods, four years apart) of two unselected groups of patients, with different inclusion criteria, in adjacent similarly populated health districts. One offered a nurse practitioner endoscopy service while the other had a doctor-led colorectal clinic. RESULTS: The doctor-led service with its broad inclusion criteria detected more colorectal cancers [13.2% versus 0.7%; OR = 16.05; 2.16-119.2]. Neither nurse practitioner (130 cases) nor doctor-led (262 cases) flexible sigmoidoscopy reduced the total number of barium enemas [Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.16 (95% CI 1.03-1.3)]. However, the doctor-led service did reduce the number of barium enemas requested by general practitioners (from 249 to 152). The total number of colorectal cancers (detected by all available methods) were similar [OR = 0.82 (0.53-1.25)] and both services resulted in a similar tumour-stage migration [OR = 1.39 (0.31-6.23)]. CONCLUSION: Open access flexible sigmoidoscopy services have minimal impact on the utilisation of radiology services. Broader inclusion criteria of doctor-led services produce a higher cancer-yield. Tumour-stage migration may be related to greater awareness of colorectal cancer symptoms rather than to the type of OAFS.
Authors: Claire Friedemann Smith; Alice C Tompson; Nicholas Jones; Josh Brewin; Elizabeth A Spencer; Clare R Bankhead; Fd Richard Hobbs; Brian D Nicholson Journal: Br J Gen Pract Date: 2018-08-13 Impact factor: 5.386