What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to explore how socioeconomic deprivation affects colorectal cancer (CRC) presentation, treatment, and outcomes.

July 5, 2026Open Access

The effects of socioeconomic deprivation on colorectal cancer outcomes; a retrospective regional cohort study

CCCarolyn CullinaneUniversity Hospital Limerick RCRoisin CoyneUniversity Hospital Limerick EMEmma McNamaraUniversity Hospital Limerick

Key Points

This study aims to explore how socioeconomic deprivation affects colorectal cancer (CRC) presentation, treatment, and outcomes.
Conducted a retrospective cohort study at University Hospital Limerick involving 631 CRC patients.
Utilized mixed-effects logistic regression to analyze the association between socioeconomic deprivation and CRC outcomes.
Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS V29.0.2.0.
Patients from deprived areas were more likely to present with metastatic disease (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.002-3.497, p = 0.049).
Deprived patients were more likely to present as an emergency (OR 3.47, CI 2.283-5.274).
Of those treated with curative intent, lower deprivation scores correlated with a higher likelihood of requiring a stoma (OR 0.25, CI 0.152-0.439) and developing disease recurrence (OR 2.60, CI 1.491-4.467).

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although colorectal cancer (CRC) survival and outcomes are improving worldwide, there is emerging recognition of the impact of social deprivation on disparities in CRC outcomes. The reasons for the disparities in incidence and mortality amongst different socioeconomic groups are complex and not fully understood. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of socioeconomic deprivation on CRC presentation, treatment course and outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of patients with CRC at University Hospital Limerick was performed. A mixed-effects logistic regression analysis approach was utilised to determine the association between socioeconomic deprivation and various CRC outcomes. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS V29.0.2.0 (20). RESULTS: Six hundred thirty-one patients were eligible for inclusion. Twenty were more likely to present with metastatic disease (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.002-3.497, p = 0.049) or present as an emergency (OR 3.47, CI 2.283-5.274) than non-socioeconomically deprived groups. Of the 466 patients that were treated with curative intent, persons with a lower social deprivation score were more likely to require a stoma (OR 0.25, CI 0.152-0.439) and develop disease recurrence (OR 2.60, CI 1.491-4.467). CONCLUSION: Those living in more deprived areas face barriers to accessing timely healthcare and are more likely to present as an emergency or with metastatic CRC. These findings could help inform more effective targeting of public health interventions for CRC.

Ask AI

Helpful

Bookmark

View Full Paper