Improving appropriate use of intravenous albumin: results of a single-centre audit and multifaceted intervention.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous albumin has limited indications supported by randomised controlled trials, yet it is often prescribed for indications not supported by evidence. AIM: To reduce unnecessary transfusion of albumin. INTERVENTIONS: Under the leadership of a multidisciplinary quality improvement team, evidence-based recommendations were disseminated in tandem with a new electronic order set, an educational strategy, qualitative interviews with prescribers and a return policy change to reduce wastage. IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION: Interventions were introduced in a staggered fashion. The primary outcome, appropriate use of albumin, was monitored and quantified using pre-intervention and post-intervention audits. Process measures included statistical process run charts of monthly usage of 5% and 25% albumin and wastage. Data on length of stay (hospital and intensive care), new inpatient starts on kidney replacement and mortality were collected as balancing measures. RESULTS: Appropriate albumin usage based on indication increased from 30% to 50% (p<0.0001). There was significantly less overall albumin usage in the post-intervention period compared with the pre-intervention period (negative coefficient, p<0.0001), driven by a major reduction in the utilisation of the 5% formulation (p<0.0001). Overall albumin usage was significantly lower in the post-intervention period, decreasing from 800 to 450 vials per month. The intervention resulted in significantly less wastage (negative coefficient, p=0.017). Mortality, length of stay and new starts on kidney replacement therapy remained constant throughout the study period. CONCLUSION: Improved prescribing of albumin was achieved with a multifaceted approach. Substantial and sustained reductions in usage were achieved without negatively impacting patient-important outcomes. The estimated annual savings for the purchase cost of albumin was CAN $300 000. We provide a structured process for other organisations to optimise their use of albumin.

Celiac Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease are Associated with Increased Risk of Eating Disorders: An Ontario Health Administrative Database Study.

BACKGROUND: Previous national registry studies have reported an increased risk of eating disorders in immune-mediated conditions (inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] and celiac disease). Our objective was to examine the association between immune-mediated GI diseases and incident eating disorders in Ontario. METHODS: This was a retrospective matched cohort study of individuals <50 years of age with a diagnosis of an immune-mediated GI disease between 2002 and 2020 ("cases"). Those with a pre-existing eating disorder were excluded. Cases (n=83,920) were matched with controls (n=167,776) based on birth year, sex, and region of residence. Incidence rate ratio and hazard ratio were estimated using Poisson regression model and adjusted Cox proportional models, respectively. RESULTS: Over the follow-up period (up to January 31, 2022), 161 cases and 160 controls were identified with eating disorders. The overall incidence rate ratio (95% CI, p-value) of eating disorders in immune-mediated GI disease was 1.99 (1.6-2.5, p<0.001). The adjusted hazard ratios for eating disorder in cases with immune-mediated GI diseases was 1.98 (1.6-2.5, p<0.001). In the pediatric group of incident cases (≤18 years of age), overall adjusted hazard ratio was 2.62 (1.9-3.7, p<0.001)) compared to 1.56 (1.02-2.4, p=0.041) for adults (>18 years of age). The largest hazard ratio of 4.11 (1.6-10.3, p=0.003) was observed for pediatric incident cases of ulcerative colitis. CONCLUSION: IBD and celiac disease are associated with the development of eating disorders. The magnitude of the association was stronger in the pediatric age group, underscoring the need for early screening and detection.

Emergency Colorectal Surgery in Those with Cirrhosis: A Population-based Study Assessing Practice Patterns, Outcomes and Predictors of Mortality.

Background: Those with cirrhosis who require emergency colorectal surgery are at risk for poor outcomes. Although risk predictions models exists, these tools are not specific to colorectal surgery, nor were they developed in a contemporary setting. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the outcomes in this population and determine whether cirrhosis etiology and/or the Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD-Na) is associated with mortality. Methods: This population-based study included those with cirrhosis undergoing emergent colorectal surgery between 2009 and 2017. All eligible individuals in Ontario were identified using administrative databases. The primary outcome was 90-day mortality. Results: Nine hundred and twenty-seven individuals (57%) (male) were included. The most common cirrhosis etiology was non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (50%) and alcohol related (32%). Overall 90-day mortality was 32%. Multivariable survival analysis demonstrated those with alcohol-related disease were at increased risk of 90-day mortality (hazards ratio [HR] 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-2.0 vs. NAFLD [ref]). Surgery for colorectal cancer was associated with better survival (HR 0.27, 95%CI 0.16-0.47). In the subgroup analysis of those with an available MELD-Na score (n = 348/927, 38%), there was a strong association between increasing MELD-Na and mortality (score 20+ HR 6.6, 95%CI 3.9-10.9; score 10-19 HR 1.8, 95%CI 1.1-3.0; score <10 [ref]). Conclusion: Individuals with cirrhosis who require emergent colorectal surgery have a high risk of postoperative complications, including mortality. Increasing MELD-Na score is associated with mortality and can be used to risk stratify individuals.

Treatment response and clinical event-free survival in autoimmune hepatitis: a Canadian multicentre cohort study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: We sought to identify predictors of outcome for people living with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). METHODS: We evaluated the clinical course of people with AIH across 11 Canadian centres. Biochemical changes were analysed using linear mixed-effect and logistic regression. Clinical outcome was dynamically modelled using time-varying Cox proportional hazard modelling and landmark analysis. RESULTS: In 691 patients (median age 49 years, 75.4% female), with a median follow-up of 6 years (25th-75th percentile, 2.5-11), 118 clinical events occurred. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalisation occurred in 63.8% of the cohort by 12-months. Older age at diagnosis (odd ratio [OR] 1.19, 95% CI 1.06-1.35) and female sex (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.18-3.19) were associated with ALT normalisation at 6 months, whilst baseline cirrhosis status was associated with reduced chance of normalisation at 12 months (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.33-0.82). Baseline total bilirubin, aminotransferases, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) values, as well as initial prednisone dose, did not predict average ALT reduction. At baseline, older age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.25, 95% CI 1.12-1.40), cirrhosis at diagnosis (HR 3.67, 95% CI 2.48-5.43), and elevated baseline total bilirubin (HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.17-1.58) increased risk of clinical events. Prolonged elevations in ALT (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.00-1.13) and aspartate aminotransferase (HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.06-1.21), but not IgG (HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.95-1.07), were associated with higher risk of clinical events. Higher ALT at 6 months was associated with worse clinical event-free survival. CONCLUSION: In people living with AIH, sustained elevated aminotransferase values, but not IgG, are associated with poorer long-term outcomes. Biochemical response and long-term survival are not associated with starting prednisone dose. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS: Using clinical data from multiple Canadian liver clinics treating autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), we evaluate treatment response and clinical outcomes. For the first time, we apply mixed-effect and time-varying survival statistical methods to rigorously examine treatment response and the impact of fluctuating liver biochemistry on clinical event-free survival. Key to the study impact, our data is 'real-world', represents a diverse population across Canada, uses continuous measurements over follow-up, and our findings help inform risk stratification of patients. We provide evidence for treating clinicians, as well as those developing and evaluating new therapies, to seek evidence of good treatment response by keeping aminotransferase activity values within the reference range. Our results challenge the role of IgG as a marker of treatment response and if normalisation of IgG should remain an important part of the definition of biochemical remission. Our analysis further highlights that baseline markers of disease severity may not prognosticate early treatment response. Additionally, the initial prednisone dose may be less relevant for achieving aminotransferase normalisation. This is important for patients and treating clinicians given the relevance and importance of side-effects of treatment for patients.

Maternal neighbourhood-level social determinants of health and their association with paediatric hepatitis C screening among children exposed to hepatitis C in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend HCV screening by 18 months of age for those exposed to HCV in utero; yet, screening occurs in the minority of children. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between maternal neighbourhood-level social determinants of health (SDOH) and paediatric HCV screening in the general population in a publicly funded healthcare system in Canada. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study using administrative healthcare data held at ICES. Children born to individuals positive for HCV RNA in pregnancy from 2000 to 2016 were identified and followed for 2 years. Major SDOH were identified, and the primary outcome was HCV screening in exposed children (HCV antibody and/or RNA). Associations between SDOH and HCV screening were determined using multivariate Poisson regression models adjusting for confounding. RESULTS: A total of 1780 children born to persons with +HCV RNA were identified, and 29% (n = 516) were screened for HCV by age two. Most mothers resided in the lowest income quintile (42%), and most vulnerable quintiles for material deprivation (41%), housing instability (38%) and ethnic diversity (26%) with 11% living in rural locations. After adjustment for confounding, maternal rural residence (risk ratio [RR] 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.62, 1.07) and living in the highest dependency quintile (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.65, 1.07) were the SDOH most associated with paediatric HCV screening. Younger maternal age (RR 0.98 per 1-year increase, 95% CI 0.97, 0.99), HIV co-infection (RR 1.69, 95% CI 1.16, 2.48) and GI specialist involvement (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.00, 1.39) were associated with higher probabilities of screening. CONCLUSIONS: Among children exposed to HCV during pregnancy, rural residences and living in highly dependent neighbourhoods showed a potential association with a lower probability of HCV screening by the age of 2. Future work evaluating barriers to paediatric HCV screening among rural residing and dependent residents is needed to enhance the screening.

Screening for hypertension in adults: protocol for evidence reviews to inform a Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care guideline update.

PURPOSE: To inform updated recommendations by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care on screening in a primary care setting for hypertension in adults aged 18 years and older. This protocol outlines the scope and methods for a series of systematic reviews and one overview of reviews. METHODS: To evaluate the benefits and harms of screening for hypertension, the Task Force will rely on the relevant key questions from the 2021 United States Preventive Services Task Force systematic review. In addition, a series of reviews will be conducted to identify, appraise, and synthesize the evidence on (1) the association of blood pressure measurement methods and future cardiovascular (CVD)-related outcomes, (2) thresholds for discussions of treatment initiation, and (3) patient acceptability of hypertension screening methods. For the review of blood pressure measurement methods and future CVD-related outcomes, we will perform a de novo review and search MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and APA PsycInfo for randomized controlled trials, prospective or retrospective cohort studies, nested case-control studies, and within-arm analyses of intervention studies. For the thresholds for discussions of treatment initiation review, we will perform an overview of reviews and update results from a relevant 2019 UK NICE review. We will search MEDLINE, Embase, APA PsycInfo, and Epistemonikos for systematic reviews. For the acceptability review, we will perform a de novo systematic review and search MEDLINE, Embase, and APA PsycInfo for randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, and observational studies with comparison groups. Websites of relevant organizations, gray literature sources, and the reference lists of included studies and reviews will be hand-searched. Title and abstract screening will be completed by two independent reviewers. Full-text screening, data extraction, risk-of-bias assessment, and GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) will be completed independently by two reviewers. Results from included studies will be synthesized narratively and pooled via meta-analysis when appropriate. The GRADE approach will be used to assess the certainty of evidence for outcomes. DISCUSSION: The results of the evidence reviews will be used to inform Canadian recommendations on screening for hypertension in adults aged 18 years and older. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: This protocol is registered on PROSPERO and is available on the Open Science Framework (osf.io/8w4tz).

Colorectal Cancer in Individuals with Cirrhosis: A Population-Based Study Assessing Practice Patterns, Outcomes, and Predictors of Survival.

Those with cirrhosis who develop colorectal cancer (CRC) are an understudied group who may tolerate treatments poorly and are at risk of worse outcomes. This is a retrospective cohort study of 842 individuals from Ontario, Canada, with a pre-existing diagnosis of cirrhosis who underwent surgery for CRC between 2009 and 2017. Practice patterns, overall survival, and short-term morbidity and mortality were assessed. The most common cirrhosis etiology was non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (52%) and alcohol-associated liver disease (29%). The model for end-stage liver disease score (MELD-Na) was available in 42% (median score of 9, IQR7-11). Preoperative radiation was used in 62% of Stage II/III rectal cancer patients, while postoperative chemotherapy was used in 42% of Stage III colon cancer patients and 38% of Stage II/III rectal cancer patients. Ninety-day mortality following surgery was 12%. Five-year overall survival was 53% (by Stages I-IV, 66%, 55%, 50%, and 11%, respectively). Those with alcohol-associated cirrhosis (HR 1.8, 95% CI 1.5-2.2) had lower survival than those with NAFLD. Those with a MELD-Na of 10+ did worse than those with a lower MELD-Na score (HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.4-2.6). This study reports poor survival in those with cirrhosis who undergo treatment for CRC. Caution should be taken when considering aggressive treatment.

Impact of neighbourhood-level social determinants of health on healthcare utilisation and perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with NAFLD cirrhosis: a population-based study in Ontario, Canada.

BACKGROUND: Cirrhosis is rising in North America, driven partly by the epidemic of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), most in women of reproductive age. Little is known about factors that impact perinatal outcomes and healthcare utilisation in pregnant women with NAFLD cirrhosis. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the association between population-level social determinants, health outcomes and healthcare utilisation. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed healthcare utilisation and perinatal outcomes in a cohort of pregnant women with NAFLD cirrhosis from Ontario, Canada from 2000 to 2016 and followed for 90 days postdelivery. We compared utilisation and health outcomes according to income, residential instability, material deprivation, dependency and ethnic diversity. A Cochran-Armitage test for trend was done to assess whether utilisation patterns were linear across quintiles. RESULTS: 3320 pregnant women with NAFLD cirrhosis formed the study cohort. Decreasing income quintile associated with a higher proportion of women with at least one emergency department (ED) visit. Increasing residential instability, material deprivation and dependency were associated with a higher frequency of ED visitation, with no compelling differences in the rates of perinatal complications or adverse outcomes in pregnant women with NAFLD cirrhosis. Using multiple population-level proxies for social determinants of health, this study demonstrates an association between marginalisation and increased ED visitation. CONCLUSIONS: As the incidence rate of pregnancies among women with NAFLD cirrhosis continues to rise, understanding how this population uses healthcare services will help coordinate care for these patients.

Parental leave, childcare policies, and workplace bias for hepatology professionals: A national survey.

BACKGROUND: The presence of workplace bias around child-rearing and inadequate parental leave may negatively impact childbearing decisions and sex equity in hepatology. This study aimed to understand the influence of parental leave and child-rearing on career advancement in hepatology. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of physician members of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) was distributed through email listserv in January 2021. The 33-item survey included demographic questions, questions about bias, altering training, career plans, family planning, parental leave, and work accommodations. RESULTS: Among 199 US physician respondents, 65.3% were women, and 83.4% (n = 166) were attendings. Sex and racial differences were reported in several domains, including paid leave, perceptions of bias, and child-rearing. Most women (79.3%) took fewer than the recommended 12 paid weeks of parental leave for their first child (average paid leave 7.5 wk for women and 1.7 for men). A majority (75.2%) of women reported workplace discrimination, including 83.3% of Black and 62.5% of Hispanic women. Twenty percent of women were asked about their/their partners' pregnancy intentions or child-rearing plans during interviews for training. Women were more likely to alter career plans due to child-rearing (30.0% vs. 15.9%, p = 0.030). Women were also more likely to delay having children than men (69.5% vs.35.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Women reported sex and maternity bias in the workplace and during training interviews, which was more frequently experienced by Black and Hispanic women. As two-thirds of women had children during training, it is a particularly influential time to reevaluate programmatic support to address long-term gender disparities in career advancement.

Impact of decompensated cirrhosis in children: A population-based study.

Background: We describe the proportion of children with compensated cirrhosis who develop decompensation in Ontario, Canada over the past two decades. Methods: This is a retrospective population-based cohort study using routinely collected health care data from Ontario, Canada held at ICES during 1997-2017. Diagnosis of cirrhosis was made using validated ICES definition, and decompensation events were defined according to validated coding. Rates of decompensation, type of decompensation, and incidence of liver transplantation after decompensation were analyzed. Databases were linked at the individual level and analyzed at ICES-Queen's. Results: A total of 2,755 children with compensated cirrhosis were included and 9% (253) developed decompensation over a median follow-up of 7 years. Children most likely to suffer decompensation were younger (median age 10 versus 4 years, p < 0.001) and female (45% versus 52%, p = 0.03). Ascites (137/253, 54%) was the most frequent complication. 199/2755 (7%) of children with cirrhosis received liver transplantation, of which 64% (128/199) occurred after a decompensation event. Overall, a total of 132 (4.7%) deaths occurred during the study period, with 55 deaths following a decompensating event. Conclusion: We present the first study to describe rates of decompensation, type, and rate of liver transplantation after decompensation in pediatric cirrhosis at the population level. To improve the care of children with liver disease, early detection of liver disease, early initiation of specific treatments as well as identification of children who are at risk of becoming decompensated are crucial.

Cause-specific mortality among patients with cirrhosis in a population-based cohort study in Ontario (2000-2017).

BACKGROUND: Although patients with cirrhosis are at increased risk of death, the exact causes of death have not been reported in the contemporary era. This study aimed to describe cause-specific mortality in patients with cirrhosis in the general population. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study using administrative health care data from Ontario, Canada. Adult patients with cirrhosis from 2000-2017 were identified. Cirrhosis etiologies were defined as HCV, HBV, alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), NAFLD, or autoimmune liver disease/other with validated algorithms. Patients were followed until death, liver transplant, or end of study. Primary outcome was the cause of death as liver-related, cardiovascular disease, non-hepatic malignancy, and external causes (accident/self-harm/suicide/homicide). Nonparametric analyses were used to describe the cumulative incidence of cause-specific death by cirrhosis etiology, sex, and compensation status. RESULTS: Overall, 202,022 patients with cirrhosis were identified (60% male, median age 56 y (IQR 46-67), 52% NAFLD, 26% alcohol-associated liver disease, 11% HCV). After a median follow-up of 5 years (IQR 2-12), 81,428 patients died, and 3024 (2%) received liver transplant . Patients with compensated cirrhosis mostly died from non-hepatic malignancies and cardiovascular disease (30% and 27%, respectively, in NAFLD). The 10-year cumulative incidence of liver-related deaths was the highest among those with viral hepatitis (11%-18%) and alcohol-associated liver disease (25%), those with decompensation (37%) and/or HCC (50%-53%). Liver transplant occurred at low rates (< 5%), and in men more than women. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiovascular disease and cancer-related mortality exceed liver-related mortality in patients with compensated cirrhosis.

Incidence of Cirrhosis Among Recent Immigrants and Refugees to Ontario, Canada.

The epidemiology of cirrhosis among immigrants to North America has not been described. Using population-level data from Ontario, Canada, recent immigrant and refugees with incident cirrhosis were identified and stratified by World Bank region of origin and cirrhosis etiology. Incidence rates were described based on region of origin and etiology and compared with those in Canadian-born/long-term residents. A total of 25,054 immigrants/refugees were identified with rates of cirrhosis lower compared with those in Canadian-born/long-term residents for all etiologies except hepatitis B virus likely explained by the healthy immigrant effect. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease was the most common etiology of cirrhosis among immigrants and refugees.

Pregnancy Is Not Associated with an Increased Risk of Decompensation, Transplant, or Death in Compensated Cirrhosis.

Background and Aims: Childbirth in women with cirrhosis is increasing and associated with a higher risk of perinatal outcomes compared to the general population. Whether pregnancy influences the risk of liver-related events compared to nonpregnant women with cirrhosis is unclear. This study evaluates the association between pregnancy and liver-related outcomes in women with compensated cirrhosis. Approach and Results. Population-based retrospective matched cohort study in Ontario, Canada, using routinely collected healthcare data. Pregnant women with compensated cirrhosis and without prior history of decompensation between 2000 and 2016 were identified and matched to nonpregnant women with compensated cirrhosis on age, etiology of cirrhosis, and socioeconomic status in a 1 : 2 ratio. The association between pregnancy and the composite outcome of nonmalignant decompensation, liver transplant (LT), and death up to two years after cohort entry was estimated using the multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression adjusting for potential confounders. Overall, 5,403 women with compensated cirrhosis were included (1,801 pregnant; 3,602 nonpregnant; median age 31 years (IQR 27-34); 60% nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, 34% viral hepatitis). After two years of follow-up, only 19 (1.1%) pregnant women had a liver-related event compared to 319 (8.9%) nonpregnant women. Pregnant women with compensated cirrhosis had a lower hazard of a liver-related event compared to nonpregnant women (aHR 0.14, 95% CI 0.09-0.22, P < .001). Conclusions: Pregnancy in women with compensated cirrhosis is not associated with increased liver-related events compared to nonpregnant women. These results can facilitate counselling women with cirrhosis of child-bearing age and suggests that pregnancy may not accelerate liver disease progression.

Alcohol-associated Liver Disease Is Now the Most Common Indication for Liver Transplant Waitlisting Among Young American Adults.

BACKGROUND: Mortality from cirrhosis is increasing and is the highest among young adults with alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). The aim of this study was to describe rates of liver transplant (LT) waitlisting stratified by age, sex, and cirrhosis etiology. METHODS: Retrospective population-based study from 2003 to 2018 using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database. Adults newly registered on the LT waitlist were included, and age at listing was dichotomized to ±40 y. Annual standardized incidence proportions of LT waitlisting by age group, sex, and etiology were calculated using census data. Changes in annual rates were described with Poisson regression. RESULTS: A total of 209 399 unique individuals were included, 10 326 (5%) <40 y at listing. In those <40 y of age, listing increased most for ALD (4-fold increase) followed by nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD; 2-fold increase). Compared to young adult males, young females were more likely to be listed for ALD and less likely to be listed for NAFLD. In those ≥40 y of age, listings increased most for ALD (2-fold increase) and NAFLD (2-fold increase). Hepatitis C virus increased from 2003 to 2013 and declined post-2014 in the ≥40-y age group. CONCLUSIONS: LT waitlisting is increasing substantially in young Americans, driven primarily by ALD. These data support ongoing efforts to identify adolescents and young adults with early stages of ALD where interventions can be implemented to prevent the development of cirrhosis and liver-related complications.

Regional variations and associations between colonoscopy resource availability and colonoscopy utilisation: a population-based descriptive study in Ontario, Canada.

OBJECTIVE: There is substantial variation in colonoscopy use and evidence of long wait times for the procedure. Understanding the role of system-level resources in colonoscopy utilisation may point to a potential intervention target to improve colonoscopy use. This study characterises colonoscopy resource availability in Ontario, Canada and evaluates its relationship with colonoscopy utilisation. DESIGN: We conducted a population-based study using administrative health data to describe regional variation in colonoscopy availability for Ontario residents (age 18-99) in 2013. We identified 43 colonoscopy networks in the province in which we described variations across three colonoscopy availability measures: colonoscopist density, private clinic access and distance to colonoscopy. We evaluated associations between colonoscopy resource availability and colonoscopy utilisation rates using Pearson correlation and log binomial regression, adjusting for age and sex. RESULTS: There were 9.4 full-time equivalent colonoscopists per 100 000 Ontario residents (range across 43 networks 0.0 to 21.8); 29.5% of colonoscopies performed in the province were done in private clinics (range 1.2%-55.9%). The median distance to colonoscopy was 3.7 km, with 5.9% travelling at least 50 km. Lower colonoscopist density was correlated with lower colonoscopy utilisation rates (r=0.53, p<0.001). Colonoscopy utilisation rates were 4% lower in individuals travelling 50 to <200 km and 11% lower in individuals travelling ≥200 km to colonoscopy, compared to <10 km. There was no association between private clinic access and colonoscopy utilisation. CONCLUSION: The substantial variations in colonoscopy resource availability and the relationship demonstrated between colonoscopy resource availability and use provides impetus for health service planners and decision-makers to address these potential inequalities in access in order to support the use of this medically necessary procedure.