Patterns of Rectal Cancer Radiotherapy Adopting Evidence-Based Medicine: An Analysis of the National Database from 2005 to 2016

Abstract

Purpose Not many studies have evaluated the adoption and dissemination of evidence-based medicine in rectal cancer radiotherapy (RT). We aimed to analyze the differences by institutional characteristics and geography in adopting evidence-based care for rectal cancer RT and factors affecting the adoption in Korea. Materials and Methods Korean National Health Insurance Service claims database was used. All rectal cancer patients treated with radical surgery and adjuvant RT at the same institution in 2005-2016 were included in this study. RT within 3 months before and after surgery was regarded as preoperative and postoperative RT, respectively. Results A total of 16,827 patients treated in 83 institutions were included in the analysis. The use of preoperative RT has substantially increased over time, from 40.6% in 2005 to 84.2% in 2016 all over the nation. The proportion of preoperative RT (54.8%) exceeded that of postoperative RT (45.2%) in 2006. However, a wide range of institutional and regional variation was observed. Compared to high-volume institutions, low-volume institutions showed late adoption and variable dissemination patterns of preoperative RT. Busan–Ulsan–Gyeongsangnam-do and Gangwon-do showed slower adoption and less use of preoperative RT than other region. Conclusion We demonstrated gradual and steady increase in adoption of preoperative RT in rectal cancer treatment nationally from 2005 to 2016. Institutional variations between high- and low-volume institutions were observed.