Patient involvement in healthcare is associated with higher rates of surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND

Surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is recommended in patients with cirrhosis, but earlier studies suggest that it is used less than one-third of the time. Patient factors associated with surveillance rates are incompletely understood.

GOALS

The aims of our study were to determine HCC surveillance rates in a tertiary-care center and to identify patient predictors of receiving surveillance.

STUDY

Patients with Child A or B cirrhosis seen in the University of Michigan liver clinics between October 2008 and March 2009 were enrolled to complete a self-administered survey. Surveillance rates and clinical data were extracted from the patient electronic medical record.

RESULTS

Of the 160 patients enrolled, 74.4% had HCC surveillance performed in the past year. On multivariate analysis, predictors of receiving surveillance included male sex (odds ratio 7.1, 95% confidence interval, 1.2-43.2) and patient involvement in their care (odds ratio 3.4, 95% confidence interval, 1.5-7.9). Patients expressed high levels of concern regarding HCC, desired more information from their physicians, and wanted to be more involved in their care.

CONCLUSIONS

HCC surveillance rates in a tertiary-care center were significantly higher than earlier reported rates. Direct patient involvement in decisions regarding HCC surveillance may help to improve surveillance rates.