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Open Access 15-02-2024 | Colorectal Cancer | Colorectal Cancer

Association of COVID-19 Pandemic with Colorectal Cancer Screening: Impact of Race/Ethnicity and Social Vulnerability

Authors: Muhammad Muntazir Mehdi Khan, MD, Muhammad Musaab Munir, MD, Selamawit Woldesenbet, PhD, Yutaka Endo, MD, Mujtaba Khalil, MD, Diamantis Tsilimigras, MD, Alan Harzman, MD, Emily Huang, MD, Matthew Kalady, MD, Timothy M. Pawlik, MD, PhD, MPH, MTS, MBA

Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology | Issue 5/2024

Abstract

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted health care delivery, including cancer screening practices. This study sought to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on colorectal cancer (CRC) screening relative to social vulnerability.

Methods

Using the Medicare Standard Analytic File, individuals 65 years old or older who were eligible for guideline-concordant CRC screening between 2019 and 2021 were identified. These data were merged with the Center for Disease Control Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) dataset. Changes in county-level monthly screening volumes relative to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020) and easing of restrictions (March 2021) were assessed relative to SVI.

Results

Among 10,503,180 individuals continuously enrolled in Medicare with no prior diagnosis of CRC, 1,362,457 (12.97%) underwent CRC screening between 2019 and 2021. With the COVID-19 pandemic, CRC screening decreased markedly across the United States (median monthly screening: pre-pandemic [n = 76,444] vs pandemic era [n = 60,826]; median Δn = 15,618; p < 0.001). The 1-year post-pandemic overall CRC screening utilization generally rebounded to pre-COVID-19 levels (monthly median screening volumes: pandemic era [n = 60,826] vs post-pandemic [n = 74,170]; median Δn = 13,344; p < 0.001). Individuals residing in counties with the highest SVI experienced a larger decline in CRC screening odds than individuals residing in low-SVI counties (reference, low SVI: pre-pandemic high SVI [OR, 0.85] vs pandemic high SVI [OR, 0.81] vs post-pandemic high SVI [OR, 0.85]; all p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a decrease in CRC screening volumes. Patients who resided in high social vulnerability areas experienced the greatest pandemic-related decline.

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Title: Association of COVID-19 Pandemic with Colorectal Cancer Screening: Impact of Race/Ethnicity and Social Vulnerability
Authors: Muhammad Muntazir Mehdi Khan, MD
Muhammad Musaab Munir, MD
Selamawit Woldesenbet, PhD
Yutaka Endo, MD
Mujtaba Khalil, MD
Diamantis Tsilimigras, MD
Alan Harzman, MD
Emily Huang, MD
Matthew Kalady, MD
Timothy M. Pawlik, MD, PhD, MPH, MTS, MBA
Publication date: 15-02-2024
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keywords: Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal Cancer
COVID-19
Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology / Issue 5/2024
Print ISSN: 1068-9265
Electronic ISSN: 1534-4681
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-024-15029-x

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Association of COVID-19 Pandemic with Colorectal Cancer Screening: Impact of Race/Ethnicity and Social Vulnerability

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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