Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on fecal immunochemical test screening uptake and compliance to diagnostic colonoscopy
Journal
Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Australia)
Journal Volume
36
Journal Issue
6
Pages
1614-1619
Date Issued
2021
Author(s)
Abstract
Background and Aim: During this COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan is one of the few countries where fecal immunochemical test and endoscopic activity for colorectal cancer screening keeps ongoing. We aimed to investigate how screening uptake and colonoscopy rate were affected in one of the biggest screening hubs in Northern Taiwan. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study tracing and analyzing the screening uptake and the trend of compliance to diagnostic colonoscopy in fecal immunochemical test-positive subjects in the National Taiwan University Hospital screening hub since the outbreak of COVID-19 and compared it with that of the corresponding periods in the past 3?years. Cancellation and rescheduling rates of colonoscopy and related reasons were also explored. Results: Screening uptake during December 2019 to April 2020 was 88.8%, which was significantly lower than that in the corresponding period of the past 3?years (91.2–92.7%, P for trend?
SDGs
Other Subjects
hemoglobin; adult; Article; cancer diagnosis; cancer screening; colonoscopy; colorectal cancer; coronavirus disease 2019; feces; female; hospital management; human; major clinical study; male; observational study; occult blood test; pandemic; prospective study; reassurance; Taiwan; aged; colonoscopy; colorectal tumor; communicable disease control; early cancer diagnosis; health service; middle aged; occult blood; patient attitude; prevention and control; procedures; psychology; Aged; Colonoscopy; Colorectal Neoplasms; Communicable Disease Control; COVID-19; Early Detection of Cancer; Health Services Misuse; Health Services Needs and Demand; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Occult Blood; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Prospective Studies; SARS-CoV-2; Taiwan
Publisher
Blackwell Publishing
Type
journal article