Appendix 2.
Secondary analysis examining the association between morbidity and prompt help-seeking (within 3 months from symptom onset) versus non-prompt help-seeking—Univariable analysis
| Crude OR of prompt help-seeking (95% CI) P-value | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Persistent cough or hoarseness (n = 235) | Persistent unexplained pain (n = 184) | Abdominal Bloating (n = 172) | Change in bowel habits (n = 142) | Change in bladder habits (n = 134) | Change in a mole or a new mole (n = 127) | Rectal bleeding (n = 117) | |
| Comorbidity | |||||||
| Osteomuscular | 1.4 (0.8, 2.4) P = 0.19 | (a) | 1.8 (0.9, 3.6) P = 0.10 | 1.1 (0.5, 2.1) P = 0.87 | 1.0 (0.5, 2.0) P = 0.98 | 0.8 (0.4, 1.8) P = 0.65 | 1.2 (0.5, 2.6) P = 0.73 |
| Hypertension/ hypercholesterolemia | 2.3 (1.3, 3.9) P = 0.003 | 1.8 (1.0, 3.2) P = 0.06 | 2.4 (1.2, 4.8) P = 0.02 | 0.7 (0.4, 1.4) P = 0.34 | 1.1 (0.5, 2.2) P = 0.83 | 2.3 (1.1, 4.7) P = 0.03 | 1.6 (0.7,3.6) P = 0.25 |
| Mental health | 1.1 (0.5, 2.6) P = 0.79 | (a) | (a) | 0.5 (0.2, 1.1) P = 0.09 | 1.0 (0.4, 2.6) P = 1.00 | 0.9 (0.3, 2.9) P = 0.85 | 0.4 (0.1, 2.0) P = 0.28 |
| Respiratory | (a) | 0.6 (0.2,1.4) P = 0.22 | 1.1 (0.4, 2.9) P = 0.89 | 0.7 (0.2, 2.1) P = 0.51 | 0.7 (0.2, 2.4) P = 0.57 | 0.5 (0.1,1.6) P = 0.24 | 1.1 (0.3, 4.1) P = 0.84 |
| Heart problems | 0.8 (0.4, 1.6) P = 0.61 | 1.2 (0.6, 2.6) P = 0.58 | 1.0 (0.4, 2.3) P = 1.00 | 0.7 (0.3, 1.4) P = 0.30 | 1.0 (0.5, 2.3) P = 0.91 | 0.5 (0.2, 1.5) P = 0.23 | 1.8 (0.7, 4.4) P = 0.20 |
| Diabetes/ Thyroid | 1.2 (0.5, 2.9) P = 0.66 | 1.2 (0.5, 3.2) P = 0.67 | (a) | 1.3 (0.5, 3.5) P = 0.61 | 3.6 (0.8, 14.9) P = 0.08 | 1.0 (0.2, 6.0) P = 0.97 | 3.9 (1.0, 14.6) P = 0.05 |
| Urinary | 0.8 (0.3, 2.0) P = 0.57 | 1.3 (0.4, 4.9) P = 0.66 | 1.8 (0.5, 6.4) P = 0.37 | 1.0 (0.3, 2.8) P = 0.96 | (a) | 0.7 (0.1, 4.0) P = 0.70 | 5.5 (1.5, 19.7) P = 0.01 |
| Neurological | 2.0 (0.8, 5.1) P = 0.14 | (a) | (a) | (a) | (a) | 0.5 (0.1, 2.0) P = 0.34 | 0.9 (0.17, 4.84) P = 0.90 |
| Gastrointestinal | 0.4 (0.1, 1.8) P = 0.22 | 0.8 (0.3, 2.2) P = 0.59 | 1.5 (0.6, 3.9) P = 0.43 | (a) | 1.2 (0.3, 5.8) P = 0.79 | 3.0 (0.5,17.3) P = 0.21 | (a) |
Bold represents associations at P < 0.05.
(a) Excluded pairs where symptoms might relate to morbidity (e.g. ‘COPD-cough; osteomuscular-pain’).