Economic evaluation of colorectal cancer screening with fecal occult blood detection.

Objective: To analyze the cost/benefit (CBA), cost/effectiveness (CEA) and cost/utility (CUA) of colorectal cancer (CC) screening through the detection of fecal occult blood (FOB).

Methods: A retrospective 10-year study was carried out in primary care hospitals to observe the evolution of CC in the study zone; subsequently, CC screening with FOB detection was done, and the entire population aged 50 to 75 years living in the Casas Ibáñez Health Zone was invited to take part. When the results had been evaluated, the screening program was evaluated in economic terms to determine CBA and to compare screening costs (option A) with the cost of allowing CC to develop without intervention (doing nothing), according to the previous retrospective study.

Colorectal cancer screening through detection of fecal occult blood in a controlled health zone.

Aim: to determine the viability and utility of fecal occult blood (FOB) screening (Hemoccult II) as a method for the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer in a well-controlled health area.

Methods: between February 1994 and September 1996, personal letters were sent to all persons in the Casas Ibáñez health area (Albacete) aged between 50 and 75 years (4986 persons). All the tests were read by the same team member.

[The treatment of upper digestive hemorrhage of peptic origin: intravenous ranitidine versus intravenous omeprazole].

Object: To evaluate the effectiveness of Ranitidine i.v. versus Omeprazole i.