2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) - Posters-P4.17F.02 Sociodemographic and Clinical Predictors of Diagnosis of Lung Cancer in the Emergency Department in a Large, Integrated Health System

P4.17F.02 Sociodemographic and Clinical Predictors of Diagnosis of Lung Cancer in the Emergency Department in a Large, Integrated Health System

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The study, conducted within Kaiser Permanente Northern California, investigated sociodemographic and clinical predictors for lung cancer diagnosis in emergency departments (ED) from 2018 to 2021. Among 5,443 lung cancer patients, 2,007 (37%) were diagnosed in the ED. The research revealed significant predictors for an ED diagnosis: Black patients, individuals with a high comorbidity burden, those with a smoking history, and patients with Stage IV disease had a higher likelihood of being diagnosed in the ED. No significant differences were observed in ED diagnosis likelihood related to age, gender, or neighborhood deprivation index.<br /><br />The findings indicate persistent racial disparities in ED diagnoses within an integrated health system that emphasizes primary care. Patients with advanced stages of the disease and more comorbid conditions were also more frequently diagnosed in ED settings. The research highlighted that nearly one-third of lung cancer patients are diagnosed in the ED, underscoring the severe health emergencies these diagnoses often accompany and suggesting possible missed opportunities for earlier identification of the disease in primary care settings.<br /><br />The study used a retrospective cohort design and a Quasi-Poisson regression model to assess these predictors. The results serve as a basis for future research to examine how an ED diagnosis impacts clinical outcomes and to explore barriers preventing earlier detection, which could enhance patient care and resource allocation in health systems. The aim is to reduce emergency department overuse and improve early diagnosis protocols, especially for minoritized racial and ethnic groups.

Asset Subtitle

Meera Ragavan

Meta Tag

Speaker Meera Ragavan

Topic Global Health, Health Services & Health Economics

Keywords

lung cancer

emergency department

sociodemographic predictors

clinical predictors

racial disparities

retrospective cohort

Quasi-Poisson regression

early diagnosis

primary care

comorbidity burden