Cancer Together with other Chronic Health conditions: understanding population characteristics and healthcare resource use in general practice (CATCH)


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Michelle Collinson1,Ellen Mason1,Amanda Farrin1,Laura Ashley2,Suzanne Richards3,Graham Brunt4,Jacqui Gath5,Margaret Ogden5,Claire Surr5
1Clinical Trials Research Unit, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK,2School of Social Sciences, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK,3Academic Unit of Primary Care, Leeds Institute of Health Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK,4Leeds Beckett University Service User and Carer Group, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK,5Centre for Dementia Research Expert by experience, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK

Abstract

Background

Many people living with cancer have other comorbidities e.g. diabetes or depression, leading to treatment and care complexities. Cancer care is routinely provided in secondary care, however comorbidities are managed in primary care. No studies have examined the prevalence of comorbidities using the Quality and Outcome Framework (QOF) or the healthcare useage of people living with cancer and comorbidities in England.

Method

CATCH, funded by Macmillan Cancer Support, is a cross-sectional observational study aiming to describe the population size, characteristics and healthcare useage of people living with cancer and comorbidities.

Data were obtained from ResearchOne, a database of electronic patient records from English GP practices. Patients ≥50 with a cancer diagnosis consistent with QOF eligibility during 2005-2016 were included. Data included patient socio-demographics, presence of comorbidities and healthcare useage from 391 general practices (5.1% of English practices).

Results

Analysis is ongoing. We identified 99,188 people living with cancer; 56% had at least one comorbidity diagnosed in the two years prior to cancer. Hypertension was recorded as the most common comorbidity (22% of patients). More men were living with cancer and a comorbidity than women (54% vs. 46%).

60% of patients living with cancer and without comorbidity attended a primary care appointment in the 12-month period after cancer was recorded in the GP record; this was no different for those with a comorbidity. The average number of appointments attended per month was similar for those with and without comorbidity (1.5 vs. 1.2) however the average number of appointments attended per month increased with the number of comorbidities (up to 2.2 for those with >5 comorbidities).

Conclusion

CATCH provides the first estimates of the population size, clinical and healthcare useage characteristics of people living with cancer and QOF eligible comorbidities in England. It highlights the needs of this group and areas for future research.