Health Economic Studies of Colorectal Cancer and the Contribution of Administrative Data: a Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: Several forces are contributing to an increase in the number of people living with and surviving colorectal cancer (CRC). However, due to the lack of available data, little is known about those implications. In recent years, the use of administrative records to inform research has been increasing. The aim of this paper is to investigate the potential contribution that administrative data could have on the health economic research of CRC. Methods: To achieve this aim we conducted a systematic review of the health economic CRC literature published in the United Kingdom and Europe within the last decade (2009-2019). Results: Thirty-seven relevant studies were identified and divided into economic evaluations, cost of illness studies and cost consequence analyses. Conclusions: The use of administrative data, including cancer registry, screening and hospital records, within the health economic research of CRC is commonplace. However, we found that this data often comes from regional databases, which reduces the generalisability of results. Further, administrative data appear less able to contribute towards understanding the wider and indirect costs associated with the disease. We have identified several ways in which various sources of administrative data could enhance future research in this area.

Variation in colorectal cancer treatment and outcomes in Scotland: real world evidence from national linked administrative data

“…Research in this area, and ultimately patient outcomes, may be improved by utilising the vast amounts of administrative healthcare data that are collected routinely as part of the delivery of patient care (Lemmon et al, 2021). It provides an opportunity to generate evidence with a high degree of external validity, being entirely representative of current care (Connelly et al, 2016).…”