Follow-up colonoscopy after abnormal stool-based colorectal cancer screening: a systematic review of completion, timeliness and implementation strategies.
Nurul Athirah Naserrudin, Diane Chong Woei Quan, Siti Balqis Adnan et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review examined the completion rates and timeliness of diagnostic colonoscopy following abnormal stool-based colorectal cancer screenings in adults. The review included 25 studies, revealing that colonoscopy completion within 6-12 months ranged from approximately 30% to 80% depending on the health system. The study highlights the importance of implementation strategies in improving follow-up rates.
Key findings
- Colonoscopy completion within 6-12 months ranged from approximately 30% to 80% across different health settings.
- Time to colonoscopy varied from approximately 42 to 184 days.
- Higher completion rates were associated with programs using real-time tracking and proactive outreach.
- Only 1 of the 25 studies had low overall risk of bias, indicating variability in study quality.
Why it matters
Understanding the factors influencing colonoscopy follow-up after abnormal screening tests is crucial for improving colorectal cancer detection and outcomes. Effective implementation strategies can enhance timely access to necessary diagnostic procedures.