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KMID : 0988920230210040500
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Intestinal Research
2023 Volume.21 No. 4 p.500 ~ p.509
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The elderly population are more vulnerable for the management of colorectal cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationwide, population-based study
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Kang Hong-Sun
Jeon Seung-Hoon
Park Su-Bee
Youn Jin-Young
Sitthichai Wankaew
Cha Jae-Myung
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Abstract
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Background/Aims : The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the management of colorectal cancer (CRC) may worse in elderly population, as almost all COVID-19 deaths occurred in the elderly patients. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on CRC management in the elderly population.
Methods : The numbers of patients who underwent colonoscopy, who visited hospitals or operated for CRC in 2020 and 2021 (COVID-19 era) were compared with those in 2019, according to 3 age groups (≥70 years, 50-69 years, and ≤49 years), based on the nationwide, population-based database (2019-2021) in South Korea.
Results : The annual volumes of colonoscopy and hospital visits for CRC in 2020 were more significantly declined in the old age group than in the young age group (both P<0.001). In addition, the annual volume of patients operated for CRC numerically more declined in old age group than in young age group. During the first surge of COVID-19 (March and April 2020), old age patients showed statistically significant declines for the monthly number of colonoscopies (-46.5% vs. -39.3%, P<0.001), hospital visits (-15.4% vs. -7.9%, P<0.001), CRC operations (-33.8% vs. -0.7%, P<0.05), and colonoscopic polypectomies (-41.8% vs. -38.0%, P<0.001) than young age patients, compared with those of same months in 2019.
Conclusions : Elderly population are more vulnerable for the management of CRC during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the elderly population are more carefully cared for in the management of CRC during the next pandemic.
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KEYWORD
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Age groups, Colonoscopy, Colorectal neoplasms, COVID-19, Mass screening
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