Colorectal Cancer in Uganda: A 10-Year, Facility-Based, Retrospective Study
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Cancer Management and Research
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common type of gastrointestinal
malignancies and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths for both sexes worldwide.
Although the burden of CRC is highest in developed countries, reports are indicating a rise in
the incidence of early-onset CRC in developing countries. In this study, we aimed to
determine the prevalence of CRC among patients hospitalized with lower gastrointestinal
complaints at a tertiary health facility in Uganda.
Methods: We conducted a 10-year retrospective chart review of patients admitted to Mulago
National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda, between 1st January 2010 and 31st
December 2020. We reviewed all charts of patients admitted to the lower gastrointestinal
tract (GIT) ward. Charts with grossly missing data, pediatric patients, and those from other
non-lower GIT specialties were excluded.
Results: Data of 1476 unique eligible patients were analyzed. Of these,138 had a diagnosis
of CRC (prevalence: 9.3%, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 6.5–11.7%). Among patients
with CRC, the female:male ratio was 1:1. The most common site for CRC was the rectum
(59.8%, n= 79). For the 138 participants with CRC, 44 had staging data with 72.8% (n=32)
having advanced disease, that is, stage 3 or 4. Factors independently associated with CRC
were age ≥50 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 4.3, 95% CI: 2.6–7.1, p < 0.001), female sex
(aOR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2 −2.8, p = 0.005), being widowed (aOR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.3–5.0, p =
0.006), and presence of any risk factor for CRC (aOR: 5.3, 95% CI: 2.9–9.9, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: CRC is relatively common among patients hospitalized with lower GIT
complaints, particularly among women and those with known risk factors for CRC.
Awareness creation and screening programs should be instituted to allow early diagnosis
of CRC in our setting.
Description
Keywords
Colon, Rectum, Colorectal cancer, GIT malignancy
Citation
Wekha, G., Ssewante, N., Iradukunda, A., Jurua, M., Nalwoga, S., Lanyero, S., ... & Bongomin, F. (2021). Colorectal cancer in Uganda: A 10-year, facility-based, retrospective study. Cancer Management and Research, 13, 7697. https://doi.org/10.2147/CMAR.S334226