Table A3 Sensitivity analysis using alternative parameterisation of primary-care interval

From: Impact of investigations in general practice on timeliness of referral for patients subsequently diagnosed with cancer: analysis of national primary care audit data

  

Number of cases

Adjusted for age, sex, and the NICEreferral category based on presenting symptoms

OR (95% CI) for 15+ days primary-care interval (compared with 0–14 days) adjusted for age, sex, and clinical presentation

P -value

Colorectal

Not investigated

967

Reference

Reference

<0.001

 

Investigated

1144

25.7 (19.5–31.7)

4.6 (3.7–5.6)

 

Ovarian

Not investigated

105

Reference

Reference

<0.001

 

Investigated

240

18.4 (12.2–25.5)

4.2 (2.3–7.9)

 

Lung

Not investigated

294

Reference

Reference

<0.001

 

Investigated

1200

23.6 (16.8–30.0)

3.8 (2.8–5.2)

 

Oesophageal

Not investigated

293

Reference

Reference

<0.001

 

Investigated

220

22.3 (13.2–32.4)

4.1 (2.8–6.1)

 

Pancreatic

Not investigated

81

Reference

Reference

<0.001

 

Investigated

246

17.1 (−1.9–30.6)

4.4 (2.1–9.2)

 

Stomach

Not investigated

98

Reference

Reference

<0.001

 

Investigated

148

29.3 (14.0–45.8)

5.7 (3.1–10.6)

 
  1. Abbreviations: CI=confidence interval; NICE=National Institute for Health and Care Excellence; OR=odds ratio.
  2. Results presented in bold italics are those from Table 4
  3. This sensitivity analysis finds that investigation use is associated with longer primary-care interval for all six cancers when using a logistic model.
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