The Effect of Nomenclature Revision of to on Subsequent Colon Cancer Screening.

Background: Lack of awareness of the taxonomic revision from the familiar to the less familiar may be associated with a decrease in recommended colon cancer screening in patients with bacteremia from this organism. This could subsequently lead to a delay in diagnosis or underdiagnosis of colon cancer and other serious underlying gastrointestinal diseases. The aim of this study was to determine whether the nomenclature change of to resulted in decreased colon cancer screening.

Methods: This study was a retrospective, observational, nationwide analysis of patients who had positive blood cultures for / from any Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2017.

Results: There was no difference in the primary end point of intent for colonoscopy between the and groups (66.5% [117/176] vs 62.1% [624/1005], respectively;  = .26). The overall mortality rate was 33.8% among 1181 patients included in the study, with a significantly lower mortality in patients with evidence of intent for colonoscopy (29.6% vs 42.5%;  ≤ .001), gastroenterology (GI) consultation (29.8% vs 41.4%;  < .001), infectious diseases (ID) consultation (29.4% vs 39.0%;  = .001), or either consultation (31.9% vs 40.7%;  = .013), compared to those that did not.

Conclusions: There was no difference in colon cancer screening rates between patients with episodes of bacteremia reported as and those reported as . Overall mortality was lower in patients who had ID consultation, GI consultation, or evidence of colonoscopy.