Department of Health Services Research, Institute of Public Health, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen K, Denmark.
Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2011 Sep;20(5):653-61. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2354.2011.01259.x. Epub 2011 Jul 19.
This study investigates the association between socio-demographic factors, comorbidity and diagnostic delay among gynaecological cancer patients. A questionnaire was sent to 1052 women diagnosed with cervical, endometrial or ovarian cancer between October 2006 and December 2007 in Denmark. Long patient delays were associated with diagnosis with a greater risk of experiencing long delays among women diagnosed with cervical and endometrial cancer as opposed to ovarian cancer. The risk of experiencing long GP referral delays was associated with residential area, with a greater risk of long delays in rural vs. urban areas. Long gynaecologist appointment delays were associated with younger age, while long secondary care delays were associated with living in a capital area and having comorbidity. Long total delays were associated with diagnosis with greater risk of experiencing long delays among women diagnosed with cervical and endometrial cancer as opposed to ovarian cancer, and with working as opposed to being retired. In conclusion, this study found that socio-demographic factors and comorbidity play a role in the probability of experiencing long delays. If delays in diagnosis are to be reduced, there must be increased recognition of the significance of symptoms among patients and interventions aimed at ensuring timely care by specialists.
本研究调查了社会人口因素、合并症与妇科癌症患者诊断延迟之间的关联。2006 年 10 月至 2007 年 12 月期间，丹麦向 1052 名被诊断为宫颈癌、子宫内膜癌或卵巢癌的女性发送了一份调查问卷。患者延迟时间较长与诊断时间较长有关，与被诊断为卵巢癌的女性相比，被诊断为宫颈癌和子宫内膜癌的女性更有可能经历较长的延迟时间。GP 转介延迟时间较长与居住地区有关，农村地区的延迟时间长于城市地区。妇科医生预约延迟时间较长与年龄较小有关，而二级保健延迟时间较长与居住在首府地区和患有合并症有关。总延迟时间较长与诊断有关，与被诊断为宫颈癌和子宫内膜癌的女性相比，诊断为卵巢癌的女性更有可能经历较长的延迟时间，与退休相比，工作的女性更有可能经历较长的延迟时间。总之，本研究发现社会人口因素和合并症在经历较长延迟的概率中起着一定的作用。如果要减少诊断延误，就必须提高患者对症状重要性的认识，并采取干预措施，确保专家及时提供护理。
