UWI St. Augustine Medical Students Publish Research

Background: Trinidad and Tobago is faced with a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) which is a risk factor for CRC. There is a paucity of research on the risk factors associated with CRC. Objectives: To investigate the risk factors and co-morbidities associated with CRC and to assess the quality of life of patients with CRC in Trinidad.

Method: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. Participants over the age of 18 with CRC were identified at 2 Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) and questionnaires were administered. Patients with CRC from 2015-2019 were identified from pathology records at the RHAs. Data to determine the risk factors and associated co-morbid conditions for CRC were collected.

Results: Questionnaires were administered to 22 persons. 88 retrospective chart reviews of patients with CRC were recorded. 58% of the subjects were male whereas 42% were female. Patients were diagnosed with CRC at the mean age of 65 years. The retrospective chart review showed that 93.2% of the subjects did not have a familial history of cancer, whereas data collected from questionnaires showed that 72.73% of subjects had a family history of cancer.

Approximately half of the patients were influenced by alcohol consumption and approximately 30% of subjects smoked cigarettes. 68.2% of subjects obtained from the retrospective chart review were found to have a comorbid condition such as diabetes or hypertension. Approximately 91% have never been screened for CRC before diagnosis.

Conclusion: This study showed no clear link between any comorbidities associated with MetS and CRC. Dietary and lifestyle factors may increase the susceptibility of developing CRC. Patients displayed minimal depression, indicating that being diagnosed with CRC did not have a grave impact on their state of mind or quality of life. Screening tools in this country are underutilized, thus contributing to later detection rates and higher CRC mortality.