YI-CHIA LEEFann J.C.-Y.TSUNG-HSIEN CHIANGChuang S.-L.Chen S.L.-S.HAN-MO CHIUYen A.M.-F.Chiu S.Y.-H.Hsu C.-Y.WEN-FENG HSUMING-SHIANG WUChen, Tony Hsiu HsiTony Hsiu HsiChen2021-02-022021-02-0220191542-3565https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85065764779&doi=10.1016%2fj.cgh.2018.10.041&partnerID=40&md5=6470cb4f07fb8ef79077adec9c53b53dhttps://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/545376Background & Aims: In patients with positive results from a fecal immunochemical test (FIT), failure to receive a timely follow-up colonoscopy may be associated with higher risks of colorectal cancer (CRC) and advanced-stage CRC. We evaluated the prevalence of any CRC and advanced-stage CRC associated with delays in follow-up colonoscopies for patients with positive results from a FIT. Methods: We collected data from 39,346 patients (age, 50–69 years) who participated in the Taiwanese Nationwide Screening Program from 2004 through 2012 and had completed a colonoscopy more than 1 month after a positive result from a FIT. Risks of any CRC and advanced-stage CRC (stage III-IV) were evaluated using logistic regression models and results expressed as adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and corresponding 95% CIs. Results: In our cohort, 2003 patients received a diagnosis of any CRC and 445 patients were found to have advanced-stage disease. Compared with colonoscopy within 1–3 months (cases per 1000 patients: 50 for any CRC and 11 for advanced-stage disease), risks were significantly higher when colonoscopy was delayed by more than 6 months for any CRC (aOR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.04–1.64; 68 cases per 1000 patients) and advanced-stage disease (aOR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.43–3.06; 24 cases per 1000 patients). The risks continuously increased when colonoscopy was delayed by more than 12 months for any CRC (aOR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.44–3.26; 98 cases per 1000 patients) and advanced-stage disease (aOR, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.43–5.64; 31 cases per 1000 patients). There were no significant differences for colonoscopy follow up at 3–6 months for risk of any CRC (aOR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.86–1.12; 49 cases per 1000 patients) or advanced-stage disease (aOR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.72–1.25; 10 cases per 1000 patients). Conclusions: In an analysis of data from the Taiwanese Nationwide Screening Program, we found that among patients with positive results from a FIT, risks of CRC and advanced-stage disease increase with time. These findings indicate the importance of timely colonoscopy after a positive result from a FIT. ? 2019 AGA Institute[SDGs]SDG3adult; advanced cancer; aged; Article; cancer risk; cancer staging; clinical evaluation; cohort analysis; colonoscopy; colorectal cancer; disease association; disease course; feces analysis; female; follow up; human; immunochemistry; major clinical study; male; risk assessment; risk factor; chemistry; clinical trial; colonoscopy; colorectal tumor; feces; immunohistochemistry; incidence; mass screening; metabolism; middle aged; multicenter study; procedures; retrospective study; Taiwan; time factor; tumor marker; Aged; Biomarkers, Tumor; Colonoscopy; Colorectal Neoplasms; Feces; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Incidence; Male; Mass Screening; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Taiwan; Time Factorsjournal article10.1016/j.cgh.2018.10.041303914352-s2.0-85065764779