Trends in colon cancer screening procedures in the US Medicare and Tricare populations: 1999-2001.
BACKGROUND
This study examined trends in the numbers of double contrast barium enemas, flexible sigmoidoscopies, and colonoscopies and trends in the choices of colorectal cancer screening service providers.


METHODS
Descriptive statistics were used to examine Medicare and Tricare data for the years 1999 to 2001.


RESULTS
The total volume of procedures increased 5% and 14%, respectively, in Tricare and Medicare. Tricare and Medicare, respectively, saw 32% and 33% reductions in barium enemas and 28% and 41% reductions in flexible sigmoidoscopies. Colonoscopies increased by 45% and 34% in Tricare and Medicare, respectively. Gastroenterologists provided the majority of colonoscopies for both groups each year.


CONCLUSIONS
The volume of colonoscopies increased from 1999 to 2001 for both groups while the volumes of barium enemas and flexible sigmoidoscopies decreased. Gastroenterologists appear to be the preferred providers of colonoscopies.
Department of Health Services Administration, School of Health Related Professions, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35294-3361, USA. randal78@uab.edu
Randal H
RH
Robertson
Jeffrey H
JH
Burkhardt
M Paige
MP
Powell
Mohamad A
MA
Eloubeidi
Maria
M
Pisu
Norman W
NW
Weissman
D000368:Aged; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D003287:Contrast Media; D004733:Enema / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D006278:Medicare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D003287:Contrast Media; D001466:Barium Sulfate