A Family History Questionnaire Sent to Patients Prior to Colonoscopy Enhances Genetic Counseling For Hereditary Colorectal Cancer.

Kessels K1,2, Eisinger JD1, Letteboer TG3, Offerhaus GJA4, Siersema PD1,5, Moons LMG1.

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Abstract

AIM:

We investigated whether sending a family history questionnaire (FHQ) to patients prior to undergoing colonoscopy results in an increase of an available family history and genetic counseling.

METHODS:

A FHQ was sent by mail to patients before undergoing outpatient colonoscopy at a university hospital in 2013. Additional characteristics and referral for genetic evaluation of patients undergoing colonoscopy in 2013 were retrieved from the electronic medical record (EMR). Patients undergoing inpatient colonoscopy, with hereditary CRC or inflammatory bowel disease were excluded. All patients undergoing colonoscopy from 2010 to 2013 were matched with the database of the genetics department to determine who consulted a geneticist.

RESULTS:

A total of 6163 patients underwent colonoscopy from 2010 to 2013. Fifty-three of 1421 (3.7%) patients undergoing colonoscopy in 2013 consulted a geneticist, while 75 of 4742 (1.6%) patients undergoing colonoscopy in the period 2010-2012 consulted a geneticist (P <0.01). A total of 974 patients undergoing colonoscopy in 2013 were included to evaluate adherence to the FHQ. Of these, 282 (29.0%) returned the FHQ. Family history was not recorded in the electronic medical record of 393/974 (40.3%) patients. In 129 of these (32.8%), family history was obtained by a returned FHQ. In 2013, 49/81 (60.5%) patients referred for genetic counseling were referred based on the family history. Eight (9.9%) patients were referred based on a returned FHQ.

CONCLUSION:

Screening for hereditary CRC in a population undergoing outpatient colonoscopy with a FHQ sent by mail resulted in an increase of an available family history and genetic counseling.