Inclusion of populations at risk of advanced melanoma in an opportunistic targeted screening project involving general practitioners
Abstract
Objective: The study objective was to measure the rates of inclusion of populations at risk of
advanced melanoma in a pilot targeted screening project involving general practitioners.
Design: This cross-sectional database study compared the inclusion rates of patients who signed
inclusion in a targeted screening project with those of patients who did not, during a period in
which both groups of patients consulted investigators.
Setting: Data were extracted from the national healthcare insurance records in western France
from 11 April to 30 October 2011.
Patients: Patients, older than 18, considered for the data extraction had consulted one of the 78
participating GPs during the study period, and were affiliated with the national healthcare
insurance.
Main outcome measures: Inclusion in the screening was the main outcome measure. Patients at
risk of advanced melanoma were characterized by male gender, age over 50, low income, rural
residence, farmer, and presence of chronic disease.
Results: A total of 57,279 patients consulted GPs during the inclusion period and 2711 (4.73%)
were included in the targeted screening. Populations at risk of advanced melanoma were less
included: men (OR¼0.67; 95%CI [0.61–0.73]; p<0.001), older than 50 (OR¼0.67; 95%CI
[0.60–0.74]; p<0.001), low income (OR¼0.65; 95%CI [0.55–0.77]; p<0.001), farmer (OR¼0.23;
95%CI [0.17–0.30]; p<0.001) and presence of a chronic disease (OR¼0.87; 95%CI [0.77–0.98];
p<0.028).
Conclusion: This study demonstrated inequalities in the inclusion of patients in a melanoma
screening. Patients at risk of advanced cancer were screened less often. Further studies should
focus on GPs ability to identify and screen these patients.
Origin : Publisher files allowed on an open archive
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