Longitudinal adherence with fecal occult blood test screening in community practice.
OBJECTIVE
Although screening with fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) reduces colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality, its effectiveness may diminish if patients do not adhere with repeated screenings. Among patients who had previously engaged in FOBT screening, we assessed subsequent adherence with FOBT screening.


METHODS
We assessed longitudinal adherence with biennial FOBT screening (every other year) within a cohort of patients enrolled in an integrated Washington State health plan. Among 11,110 patients who participated in FOBT screening during a 2-year baseline period (2000-2001), we ascertained CRC screening use during a subsequent 2-year observation period (2002-2003). We used multinomial logistic regression to identify patient characteristics associated with higher incidence of repeat CRC screening (with or without FOBT) relative to patients who received no CRC screening.


RESULTS
Despite prior participation in FOBT screening, less than one-half of patients (44.4%; 95% CI, 42.9%-45.8%) completed FOBT screening during the 2-year observation period. Although 8.8% of patients (95% CI, 8.0%-9.7%) received other CRC tests without FOBT during the observation period, nearly one-half, 46.8% (95% CI, 45.3%-48.4%), received no CRC screening. After adjustment for other patient characteristics, receipt of a preventive health examination was strongly associated with FOBT adherence relative to no CRC screening (adjusted relative rate ratio = 11.16; 95% CI, 9.61-12.96).


CONCLUSIONS
Longitudinal adherence with FOBT screening was low in this insured population, potentially compromising its effectiveness in population CRC mortality reduction. Interventions to promote adherence may be necessary to achieve high effectiveness in population-based FOBT screening programs.
Fenton
Joshua J
JJ
Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California 95817, USA. Joshua.fenton@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
Elmore
Joann G
JG
Buist
Diana S M
DS
Reid
Robert J
RJ
Tancredi
Daniel J
DJ
Baldwin
Laura-Mae
LM
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009780:Occult Blood; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014861:Washington