Subgroup variable | Studies, n | Relative risk (95% CI) | Study references |
Screening round | |||
1 | 15 | Reference | 6 27 28 31 32 36–39 42 44–46 51 52 |
2 | 5 | 0.93 (0.85 to 1.02) | 6 36 45 46 52 |
3 | 4 | 0.76 (0.66 to 0.88) | 6 36 45 52 |
4 | 1 | 0.77 (0.54 to 1.10) | 36 |
Time in years since last negative test | |||
1 | 8 | Reference | 2 27 28 38 42 45 50 |
2 | 6 | 1.25 (1.05 to 1.57) | 2 27 28 38 42 50 |
3 | 2 | 1.19 (0.76 to 1.87) | 27 42 |
Cut-off* | |||
Per 10 µg Hb/g faeces increase | 17 | 1.00 (0.89 to 1.13) | 28–30 32 33 35 36 38 39 41 44 50 52 |
*Based on 13 studies that used a single fixed cut-off.
FOBT, faecal occult blood test; Hb, haemoglobin; iCRC, interval colorectal cancer.