TY - JOUR
T1 - Inappropriate use of the faecal occult blood test in a university hospital in the Netherlands
AU - van Rijn, Anne F.
AU - Stroobants, An K.
AU - Deutekom, Marije
AU - Lauppe, Corinne
AU - Sturk, Auguste
AU - Bossuyt, Patrick M. M.
AU - Fockens, Paul
AU - Dekker, Evelien
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - Objectives Although all international guidelines state that there is no indication to perform a faecal occult blood test (FOBT) in symptomatic patients, we believe the test is frequently used as a diagnostic test. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the current guidelines for FOBT use are being followed in the Netherlands. Methods The frequency of reasons for ordering a FOBT in 15 hospitals over a time period of 1 year was determined and the consequences of the test result on the diagnostic workup were determined by a retrospective search of electronic hospital charts. Results In 14 of the 15 hospitals a FOBT was available and totally 2993 FOBTs were performed in 1 year. A total of 201 electronic charts were retrieved. The FOBTs were ordered because of anaemia (41%), suspicion of rectal bleeding (17%), abdominal pain (14%), changed bowel habits (10%) or others (18%). A positive test result was found in 66 (33%) patients and a negative in 133 (66%). Respectively, 38% (25/66) of the patients with a positive and 41% (55/133) of the patients with a negative test result received a gastrointestinal follow-up investigation. In 25/80 investigations, a possible cause of rectal blood loss was detected, of which 13 had a positive FOBT result. Conclusion This study demonstrates that current guidelines on FOBT use are not followed in the Netherlands and that a FOBT is often used as a diagnostic tool instead of a screening tool, thereby causing confusion and unnecessary delays in the diagnostic workup of patients. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 24: 1266-1269 (C) 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
AB - Objectives Although all international guidelines state that there is no indication to perform a faecal occult blood test (FOBT) in symptomatic patients, we believe the test is frequently used as a diagnostic test. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the current guidelines for FOBT use are being followed in the Netherlands. Methods The frequency of reasons for ordering a FOBT in 15 hospitals over a time period of 1 year was determined and the consequences of the test result on the diagnostic workup were determined by a retrospective search of electronic hospital charts. Results In 14 of the 15 hospitals a FOBT was available and totally 2993 FOBTs were performed in 1 year. A total of 201 electronic charts were retrieved. The FOBTs were ordered because of anaemia (41%), suspicion of rectal bleeding (17%), abdominal pain (14%), changed bowel habits (10%) or others (18%). A positive test result was found in 66 (33%) patients and a negative in 133 (66%). Respectively, 38% (25/66) of the patients with a positive and 41% (55/133) of the patients with a negative test result received a gastrointestinal follow-up investigation. In 25/80 investigations, a possible cause of rectal blood loss was detected, of which 13 had a positive FOBT result. Conclusion This study demonstrates that current guidelines on FOBT use are not followed in the Netherlands and that a FOBT is often used as a diagnostic tool instead of a screening tool, thereby causing confusion and unnecessary delays in the diagnostic workup of patients. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 24: 1266-1269 (C) 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1097/MEG.0b013e328313bbd3
DO - https://doi.org/10.1097/MEG.0b013e328313bbd3
M3 - Article
C2 - 23022920
SN - 0954-691X
VL - 24
SP - 1266
EP - 1269
JO - European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
JF - European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
IS - 11
ER -