Trends in the contemporary incidence of colorectal cancer and patient characteristics in the United Kingdom: a population-based cohort study using The Health Improvement Network

BACKGROUND: Cancer registry data show that survival of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the United Kingdom is poor compared with other European countries and the United States, yet these data sources lack information on patient comorbidities and medication use, which could help explain these differences. METHODS: Among individuals aged 40–89 years in The Health Improvement Network (2000–2014), we identified first ever cases of CRC and calculated incidence rates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). For CRC cases and non-cases in two separate calendar years (2002 and 2014), we evaluated patient demographics, lifestyle factors, comorbidities and medication use and bowel screening. RESULTS: The incidence of CRC remained relatively constant across the study period; incidence rates per 10,000 person-years (95% CIs) were 9.27 (8.59–1.01) in 2000, 10.65 (10.15–11.18) in 2007 and 8.37 (7.93–8.83) in 2014. Incidence rates per 10,000 person-years were higher in men than women at 11.44 (95% CI: 10.35-12.66) vs. 7.40 (95% CI: 6.59–8.32) in 2000, and 9.39 (95% CI: 8.74–10.10) vs. 7.38 (95% CI: 6.81–8.00) in 2014. An increase was seen in the proportion of CRC cases diagnosed at age < 60 years. In 2002, 3.5% of CRC cases were diagnosed at age 40–49 compared with 5.1% in 2014 (p = 0.064). Similarly, in 2002, 12.5% were diagnosed at age 50–59 years compared with 16.2% in 2014 (p = 0.002). Between 2002 and 2014, previous bowel screening increased in both CRC cases (+ 10.6%) and non-cases (+ 9.7%)(p < 0.001 for both groups). Greater rises in the following were seen among CRC cases compared with non-cases: diabetes (+ 9.3% vs. + 3.3%; p < 0.001 for both), obesity (+ 14.5% vs. + 10.1%; p < 0.001 for both), hypertension (+ 8.3% vs. + 3.6%; p < 0.001 for both), atrial fibrillation (+ 2.6% [p < 0.01] vs. + 0.3% [p < 0.001]), and use of proton pump inhibitors (+ 11.5% vs. + 9.0%), anti-hypertensives (+ 9.9% vs. + 1.4%) and warfarin (+ 3.2% vs. + 0.4%); p < 0.001 for CRC cases and non-cases with respect to each medication. CONCLUSIONS: CRC incidence has remained relatively stable in the UK over the last decade. The increased prevalence of some comorbidities and medications among CRC cases should be considered when evaluating patterns in CRC survival. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-018-4265-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.