Symptom | Referral intervala | n (%) | Median hospital interval (IQR) | Hazard ratio (95% CI) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Red flag | I | 1414 (70.6) | 27 (14–58.25) | ref |
II | 319 (15.9) | 27 (14–59) | 1.11 (0.90 to 1.36) | |
III | 271 (13.5) | 40 (20–78)b | 1.30 (1.06 to 1.60)c | |
Non-specific | I | 153 (25.5) | 29 (14–77.5) | ref |
II | 189 (31.6) | 37 (18.5–61) | 1.14 (0.85 to 1.54) | |
III | 257 (42.9) | 43 (17.5–87)b | 0.57 (0.42 to 0.78)b | |
Rectal bleeding | I | 848 (79.3) | 28 (14–61) | ref |
II | 121 (11.3) | 29 (15.5–57.5) | 1.01 (0.71 to 1.45) | |
III | 100 (9.4) | 36.5 (19.25–69.75) | 1.65 (1.18 to 2.31)d | |
Anaemia | I | 54 (49.1) | 32.5 (18–61) | ref |
II | 26 (23.6) | 27.5 (14–60) | 0.73 (0.33 to 1.63) | |
III | 30 (27.3) | 44.5 (15.25–91.5) | 0.77 (0.34 to 1.76) | |
Change in bowel habit | I | 348 (78.7) | 24 (13–49) | ref |
II | 57 (12.9) | 26 (13.5–58) | 0.79 (0.49 to 1.29) | |
III | 37 (8.4) | 46 (26–106)d | 0.78 (0.41 to 1.72) | |
Diarrhoea | I | 155 (42.0) | 27 (14–63) | ref |
II | 113 (30.6) | 24 (13–65) | 1.30 (0.90 to 1.89) | |
III | 101 (27.4) | 42 (21–80)c | 1.13 (0.77 to 1.67) | |
Abdominal pain | I | 68 (32.1) | 42.5 (16.25–84) | ref |
II | 61 (28.8) | 41 (18–83.5) | 1.19 (0.72 to 1.98) | |
III | 83 (39.2) | 49 (17–107) | 0.57 (0.33 to 1.00)c | |
Constipation | I | 51 (23.6) | 42.5 (16.25–84) | ref |
II | 75 (34.7) | 41 (18–83.5) | 1.29 (0.77 to 2.14) | |
III | 90 (41.7) | 49 (17–107) | 0.68 (0.40 to 1.17) | |
Weight loss or fatigue | I | 22 (21.2) | 32 (16.25–85) | ref |
II | 26 (25.0) | 37 (16.5–73.5) | 1.05 (0.45 to 2.41) | |
III | 56 (53.8) | 43.5 (21.25–93.25) | 0.37 (0.18 to 0.78)d | |
All patients | I | 1567 (60.2) | 27 (14–60) | ref |
II | 508 (19.5) | 31 (14–59.75) | 1.33 (1.13 to 1.55)b | |
III | 528 (20.3) | 42 (19–84)b | 1.08 (0.92 to 1.27) |
↵a Interval I = <2 weeks. Interval II = 2 weeks to 3 months. Interval III = >3 months. Hazard ratio adjusted for age, sex, Charlson score, Index of Multiple Deprivation, and interval from referral to diagnosis.
↵b 0.005 to <0.05,
↵c 0.0005 to <0.005,
↵d <0.0005. Data for ‘other bowel function’ and ‘abdominal mass’ not shown as too few cases of each to carry out analysis. IQR = interquartile range.