Factors associated with completeness in documentation of diagnostic work-up and treatment in patients with breast cancer in Sudan

Authors

Noon I. Eltoum, University of Medical Sciences and Technology
Nicole E. Caston, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Lily Gutnik, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Mahmoud A. Alfardous Alazm, University of Medical Sciences and Technology
Feras O. Mohamed, University of Medical Sciences and Technology
Lama M. Abdalkarem, University of Medical Sciences and Technology
Saad A S Ali, University of Medical Sciences and Technology
Abrar Z. Badwani, University of Medical Sciences and Technology
Nicole L. Henderson, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Andres Azuero, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Gabrielle Rocque, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

eCancerMedicalScience

Abstract

Purpose: This study evaluates the relationship between geography and ethnicity on the completeness of documentation of diagnostic work-up and treatment modalities in Sudan for patients with breast cancer.

Methods: This retrospective study used data abstracted from patients with breast cancer receiving cancer care at Sudan’s largest cancer centre (Radiation and Isotopes Center Khartoum) in 2017. Patient demographic and clinical characteristics were abstracted from paper medical records. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated to evaluate complete diagnostic work-up on ethnic group, origin and residence using binomial logistic regression models.

Results: Of 237 patients, the median age was 52 (interquartile range 43–61). Most often patients identified as Arab (68%), originated from Central, Northeastern and Khartoum regions (all 28%) and lived in the Khartoum region (52%). Overall, 49% had incomplete diagnostic work-up, with modest differences by ethnicity and geography. In adjusted analyses, non-statistical differences were found between the ethnic group, geographic origin and residence and having complete diagnostic work-up. For treatment modality, significant differences were observed between receptor status and receiving hormone therapy (p = 0.004). Only 28% of patients with HR+ breast cancer received hormonal therapy. For those with HR− or undocumented breast cancer subtype, 36% and 17% received hormone therapy, respectively.

Conclusion: Approximately half of Sudanese patients with breast cancer had incomplete diagnostic work-up, irrespective of ethnicity and geography. Moreover, a high proportion of patients received inappropriate treatment. This underlines a considerable systems-based quality gap in care delivery, demanding efforts to improve diagnostic work-up for all patients with breast cancer in Sudan.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.3332/ecancer.2023.1632

Publication Date

11-17-2023

PubMed ID

PMID: 38414946; PMCID: PMC10898882

College or School

School of Medicine

Comments

2023/2024 APC Fund Awardee:
Dr. Noon Eltoum, Postdoc
Heersink School of Medicine

Award Amount: $530.00

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Supplemental Associated Link

https://ecancer.org/en/journal/article/1632-factors-associated-with-completeness-in-documentation-of-diagnostic-work-up-and-treatment-in-patients-with-breast-cancer-in-sudan

Recommended Citation

Eltoum NI, Caston NE, Gutnik L, Alazm MAA, Mohamed FO, Abdalkarem LM, Ali SAS, Badawi AZ, Henderson NL, Azuero A, Rocque G. Factors associated with completeness in documentation of diagnostic work-up and treatment in patients with breast cancer in Sudan. Ecancermedicalscience. 2023 Nov 17;17:1632. doi: 10.3332/ecancer.2023.1632. PMID: 38414946; PMCID: PMC10898882.