| Inappropriate use of the faecal occult blood test in a university hospital in the Netherlands. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 23022920 Owner: NLM Status: In-Data-Review |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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OBJECTIVES: Although all international guidelines state that there is no indication to perform a faecal occult blood test (FOBT) in symptomatic patients, we believe the test is frequently used as a diagnostic test. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the current guidelines for FOBT use are being followed in the Netherlands. METHODS: The frequency of reasons for ordering a FOBT in 15 hospitals over a time period of 1 year was determined and the consequences of the test result on the diagnostic workup were determined by a retrospective search of electronic hospital charts. RESULTS: In 14 of the 15 hospitals a FOBT was available and totally 2993 FOBTs were performed in 1 year. A total of 201 electronic charts were retrieved. The FOBTs were ordered because of anaemia (41%), suspicion of rectal bleeding (17%), abdominal pain (14%), changed bowel habits (10%) or others (18%). A positive test result was found in 66 (33%) patients and a negative in 133 (66%). Respectively, 38% (25/66) of the patients with a positive and 41% (55/133) of the patients with a negative test result received a gastrointestinal follow-up investigation. In 25/80 investigations, a possible cause of rectal blood loss was detected, of which 13 had a positive FOBT result. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that current guidelines on FOBT use are not followed in the Netherlands and that a FOBT is often used as a diagnostic tool instead of a screening tool, thereby causing confusion and unnecessary delays in the diagnostic workup of patients. |
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Authors:
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Anne F van Rijn; An K Stroobants; Marije Deutekom; Corinne Lauppe; Auguste Sturk; Patrick M M Bossuyt; Paul Fockens; Evelien Dekker |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology Volume: 24 ISSN: 1473-5687 ISO Abbreviation: Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol Publication Date: 2012 Nov |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2012-10-01 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 9000874 Medline TA: Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 1266-9 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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aDepartments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology bSocial Medicine cEpidemiology and Biostatistics dLaboratory of General Clinical Chemistry, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. |
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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