Assessing demographic and socioeconomic factors in patients with advanced colorectal cancer

The aim of the study was to determine the socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) presentation at our institution.

From January 2009 to January 2018, patients that underwent CRC surgery at our institution were included and retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine independent risk factors for presenting with advanced CRC.

A total of 277 patients were included, 53.5% presented with advanced CRC. The multivariate analysis identified that living in a rural area (odds ratio [OR] = 5.25; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.27-12-10; p < 0.001), weight loss (OR = 2.33; 95% CI: 1.35-4.09; p = 0.002), needing emergency surgery (OR = 4.68; 95% CI: 1.25-17.49; p = 0.022), location in the rectum in comparison with colon (OR = 2.66; 95% CI: 1.44-4.91; p = 0.002), and location in the mid rectum (OR = 6.10; 95% CI: 2.31-16.12; p < 0.001) were associated with higher odds of advanced CRC stage at presentation.

Patients with lower socioeconomic status, with symptoms, and needing emergency surgery were associated with advanced CRC stage at presentation. Special interventions to improve access to care in this population should be planned to enhance CRC outcomes.