{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,21]],"date-time":"2026-10-21T09:43:37Z","timestamp":1792575817482,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":0,"publisher":"Danish Medical Association","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Dan Med J"],"abstract":"<jats:p>INTRODUCTION. The Danish Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme has achieved a high adherence, in the 88-90% range, to diagnostic colonoscopy following a positive immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT). However, a small subgroup does not proceed to colonoscopy. This study investigated factors associated with non-adherence to diagnostic colonoscopy in the North Denmark Region (NDR).\n\nMETHODS. \u202fIn 2020, 278 had a positive iFOBT in the NDR and did not undergo subsequent colonoscopy. We conducted a two-part study consisting of 1) a journal audit assessing comorbidity, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), hospitalisations and colonoscopy history, and 2) a questionnaire exploring self-reported reasons for non-adherence. Among 256 eligible individuals, 169 (66%) completed the questionnaire.\n\nRESULTS. The journal audit revealed that 25% of non-adherent individuals had an ASA score \u2265 3, 65% had a Charlson Comorbidity Index score \u2265 2 and 10% had known IBD. Furthermore, 20% had undergone a colonoscopy within the preceding two years. Questionnaire responses identified recent colonoscopy (n = 29) and haemorrhoids (n = 30) as frequent reasons for non-adherence. Many respondents reported non-medical reasons, including perceiving themselves as healthy, lacking understanding of the programme or finding colonoscopy unpleasant.\n\nCONCLUSIONS. Non-adherence to diagnostic colonoscopy after positive iFOBT is often not medically justified. The findings indicate a need for improved patient education. Enhanced general practitioner involvement may help address logistical and informational barriers.\n\nFUNDING. None.\n\nTRIAL REGISTRATION. Not relevant.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.61409\/a12251040","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,21]],"date-time":"2026-10-21T09:11:02Z","timestamp":1792573862000},"page":"1-8","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Non-adherence to diagnostic colonoscopy after positive faecal screening test"],"prefix":"10.61409","author":[{"given":"Christian Flindt","family":"Nielsen","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ali","family":"Al-Noori","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Nanna Mundbjerg","family":"Nielsen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Morten","family":"Gaarden","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Kathrine","family":"Holte","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"40208","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9]]},"container-title":["Danish Medical Journal"],"original-title":[],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,21]],"date-time":"2026-10-21T09:11:03Z","timestamp":1792573863000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/ugeskriftet.dk\/dmj\/A12251040"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,9]]},"references-count":0,"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.61409\/a12251040","relation":{},"ISSN":["2245-1919"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2245-1919","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,9]]}}}