Table 2 Number of tests performed prior to diagnosis according to patients and nodule characteristics (median and range).
Factor | n | No. tests prior to diagnosis | p # | p ## |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Patient characteristics | ||||
Age(yr) | ||||
35–65 | 52 | 3 (1–14) | 0.43 | 0.02 |
> 65 | 60 | 4 (1–21) | ||
Sex | ||||
Male | 82 | 4 (1–21) | 0.22 | 0.86 |
Female | 30 | 3 (1–12) | ||
Referral pattern | ||||
GP | 18 | 2 (1–6) | <0.01 | <0.01 |
Specialist | 94 | 4 (1–21) | ||
History of smoking | ||||
Never smoked | 33 | 2 (1–12) | <0.01 | <0.01 |
Current or past smoker | 79 | 5 (1–21) | ||
Nodule characteristics | ||||
Calcification within the nodule | ||||
Yes | 12 | 2 (1–14) | 0.04 | 0.76 |
No | 100 | 4 (1–21) | ||
Spiculated nodule | ||||
Yes | 32 | 5 (1–14) | 0.02 | 0.01 |
No | 80 | 3 (1–21) | ||
Mediastinal involvement | ||||
Yes | 31 | 4 (1–21) | 0.4 | 0.19 |
No | 81 | 4 (1–12) |