Use of screening colonoscopy in ambulatory HIV-infected patients.
BACKGROUND
Colorectal cancer screenings are underused in HIV-infected patients, but reasons for underuse have not been examined.


METHODS
Using a standardized questionnaire, HIV-infected patients aged > or =50 years were asked if they had a colorectal cancer screening and what factors influenced their decisions.


RESULTS
Among 55 patients (53 [96%] male; mean age 57 years [range: 51-71]); 35 (64%) ever received colorectal cancer screenings, 2 (4%) were scheduled for screening, 16 (29%) had never been screened, and 2 (4%) provided unusable results. Patients screened were more likely to remember discussing colorectal cancer (P < .01) and colorectal cancer screenings (P < .01) with a medical practitioner.


CONCLUSIONS
In this population of HIV-infected patients >50 year olds, a significant minority of patients did not undergo the colorectal cancer screening. Discussions about the colorectal cancer screenings and colorectal cancer risk appear to have a significant impact on a patient's decision to be screened.
Campbell
Jeffrey
J
Rose Medical Center, University of Colorado, General Internal Medicine, Boulder, Colorado, USA.
Young
Benjamin
B
D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires