Colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer: the outcomes of two recruitment methods.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the response to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening by colonoscopy, through direct invitation or through invitation by general practitioners.


METHODS
Two-way comparison of randomised population sampling versus cluster sampling of a representative general practice population in the Australian Capital Territory, May 2002 to January 2004.


METHODS
Invitation to screen, assessment for eligibility, interview, and colonoscopy.


METHODS
881 subjects aged 55-74 years were invited to screen: 520 from the electoral roll (ER) sample and 361 from the general practice (GP) cluster sample.


METHODS
Response rate, participation rate, and rate of adenomatous polyps in the screened group.


RESULTS
Participation was similar in the ER arm (35.1%; 95% CI, 30.2%-40.3%) and the GP arm (40.1%; 95% CI, 29.2%-51.0%) after correcting for ineligibility, which was higher in the ER arm. Superior eligibility in the GP arm was offset by the labour of manual record review. Response rates after two invitations were similar for the two groups (ER arm: 78.8%; 95% CI, 75.1%-82.1%; GP arm: 81.7%; 95% CI, 73.8%-89.6%). Overall, 53.4% ineligibility arose from having a colonoscopy in the past 10 years (ER arm, 98/178; GP arm, 42/84). Of 231 colonoscopies performed, 229 were complete, with 32% of subjects screened having adenomatous polyps.


CONCLUSIONS
Colonoscopy-based CRC screening yields similar response and participation rates with either random population sampling or general practice cluster sampling, with population sampling through the electoral roll providing greater ease of recruitment.
Corbett
Mike
M
Gastroenterology Unit, The Canberra Hospital, Woden, ACT, Australia.
Chambers
Sharon L
SL
Shadbolt
Bruce
B
Hillman
Lybus C
LC
Taupin
Doug
D
D000368:Aged; D020958:Australian Capital Territory / Q000453:epidemiology; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019992:Databases as Topic; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018579:Patient Selection; D012042:Registries