OBJECTIVE delays in diagnosis of symptomatic colorectal cancer are a reality in our context. This study aims at identifying missed diagnostic opportunities, describing events, clinical clues and most common mistakes, and quantifying delays. MATERIAL AND METHODS an observational descriptive study was performed in order to review all case histories. Two experts reviewed the case histories of al...

Increased attention to timely diagnosis motivated us to study 5483 patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma using Medicare claims linked to tumor registries in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results programme. We calculated the time between initial visits for anemia or back pain and for myeloma diagnosis, and used logistic regression to predict the likelihood of diagnostic delay, and al...

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the extent of delay in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) in primary care, and to identify determinants that are associated with such diagnostic delay. DESIGN Retrospective observational study. SETTING 6 primary care practices across the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS Data from patients with an objectively confirmed diagnosis of PE (International Classification of ...

OBJECTIVE To systematically review Indian literature on delays in tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and treatment. METHODS We searched multiple sources for studies on delays in patients with pulmonary TB and those with chest symptoms. Studies were included if numeric data on any delay were reported. Patient delay was defined as the interval between onset of symptoms and the patient's first contact ...

Background: Head and neck cancer is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and in Australia. Early diagnosis of this group of diseases has been shown to improve both survival and decrease morbidity. Unfortunately, a significant number of patients still present at a late stage of disease. The purpose of this study was to identify factors which may be associated with diagnostic ...

BACKGROUND Since 1990, the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (BCCEDP) has funded breast cancer screening and diagnostic services for low-income, underinsured women. Case management was implemented in 2001 to address barriers to follow-up after an abnormal mammogram, and free treatment was introduced in 2004. However, the effect of these policies on timeliness of care h...