Colonoscopy and Sigmoidoscopy Use Among African Americans and Whites
Author Information
Author(s): Peterson Neeraja B MD, MSc, Murff Harvey J MD, MPH, Fowke Jay H PhD, MPH, Cui Yong MD, MSPH, Hargreaves Margaret PhD, Signorello Lisa B ScD, Blot William J PhD
Primary Institution: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Hypothesis
Is there a difference in the use of colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy between African Americans and whites in a low-income population?
Conclusion
Lower use of colonoscopy among African Americans may contribute to higher rates of colorectal cancer mortality in this group.
Supporting Evidence
- Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S.
- 63% of participants had annual incomes below $15,000.
- 38.2% of all respondents reported having a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.
- 30.6% of African American men and 38.2% of women reported ever having a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.
- Lower use of colonoscopy was particularly marked among African American women.
Takeaway
This study found that fewer African Americans get colonoscopies compared to white people, which might lead to more cases of colon cancer.
Methodology
The study analyzed baseline data from a large cohort study, comparing test use among African Americans and whites using chi-square tests and logistic regression.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to self-reported data and not accounting for all screening methods.
Limitations
The study did not distinguish between screening and diagnostic tests and relied on self-reported data.
Participant Demographics
Participants were primarily low-income individuals aged 50 and older, with a significant portion being African American.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI, 0.83–1.03
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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