NCT07328399

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Waves on Colorectal Cancer Stage Migration and Diagnostic Delays

• Status: Completed
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 198 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Pecs · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Background/Objectives: The incidence of colorectal cancer in Hungary exceeds the EU (European Union) average, and the cancer mortality rate is also among the highest in the country. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted various areas of healthcare, including cancer diagnosis and treatment. Due to the measures taken to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, not only newly suspected cancer patients but also those already diagnosed and undergoing treatment faced numerous difficulties. Methods: The study included 198 patients with colorectal cancer, of whom 43 participants were newly diagnosed cases. Due to low case numbers in certain COVID-19 waves, adjacent waves were merged for statistical analysis. The number of newly diagnosed colorectal cancer cases across COVID-19 waves was compared using one-way ANOVA, stage distribution differences and the proportion of missed treatments were assessed with Fisher's exact test. In follow-up patients, changes were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Differences in tumor size categories were examined using chi-square tests.

Conditions

• Colorectal Cancer

Timeline

• Start date: 2020-09-01
• Primary completion: 2023-12-31
• Completion: 2023-12-31
• First posted: 2026-01-09
• Last updated: 2026-01-09

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Hungary