Use of Healthcare Services Two Years before Diagnosis in Danish Sarcoma Patients, 2000–2013

Author:

Rædkjær Mathias123ORCID,Maretty-Kongstad Katja4,Baad-Hansen Thomas1,Safwat Akmal5,Petersen Michael M.2,Keller Johnny1ORCID,Vedsted Peter67

Affiliation:

1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark

2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark

3. Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark

4. Department of Pathology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark

5. Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark

6. The Research Unit of General Practice, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark

7. Silkeborg Hospital, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Falkevej 1G, 8600 Silkeborg, Denmark

Abstract

Background. Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer with nonspecific symptoms and uncertain aetiology. Thus, timely diagnosis of sarcomas is a clinical challenge. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of healthcare services 24 months preceding a sarcoma diagnosis compared to a matched cohort. Materials and Methods. The study was a retrospective, population-based, matched cohort registry-study. Patients with sarcoma in Denmark in 2000–2013 were identified in the Danish Sarcoma Registry (n = 2167) and matched 1 : 10 on gender, age, and listed general practice. Using a binomial regression model, incidence rate ratios were calculated for face-to-face contacts in general practice, inpatient and outpatient visits, surgery, paraclinical examinations, and diagnostic imaging. Analyses were stratified for sarcoma subtypes, grade, stage, gender, and presence of comorbidity. Results. The sarcoma patients had significantly increased incidence rate ratios in use of healthcare services compared to the matched cohort a year before their diagnoses. An increase in consultation rates was seen 11 months before diagnosis for inpatient visits, 9 months before diagnosis in general practice and outpatient visits, 8 months before diagnosis for paraclinical examinations, and 4 and 3 months before diagnosis for diagnostic imaging and surgery, respectively. There were no clinical significant differences in length of increased consultation rates between sarcoma type, stage, and grade. Sarcoma patients with comorbidity had persistently higher consultation rates compared to patients without comorbidity. Conclusions. The use of healthcare services among sarcoma patients increased several months before diagnosis in all healthcare sectors. The results reveal a diagnostic time window and a potential to refer, diagnose, and treat sarcoma patients in a timelier manner.

Funder

Inge og Max Wørzners Mindelegat

Publisher

Hindawi Limited

Subject

Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging,Oncology

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