Lung cancer screening: estimating the eligible population per single interventional pulmonology center in Italy

Lung cancer screening (LCS) will be implemented in Europe, leading to an increase of invasive procedures with a relevant impact on interventional pulmonology (IP) centers (IPc). We aimed at estimating the average population eligible for LCS per single Italian IPc, and at investigating potential inter-regional heterogeneity. In this population-based epidemiological simulation study, we collected data to estimate the Italian population eligible for LCS according to the 4-IN-THE-LUNG-RUN entry criteria. The number of Italian IPc (N=164) was extracted from a census made by the Italian Association of Hospital Pulmunologists (AIPO). Considering an eligible Italian population of 4,934,959 subjects, the estimated eligible population per each IP center was of 30.091 subjects. The Figure shows the regional distribution of our analysis. In green the regions with an eligible population per IPc below average; in red the regions with an eligible population per IPc above average. Our results show that some Italian regions may be subject to a heavier demand of post LCS diagnostic procedures. Defining optimal density for IP services in Italy is necessary in order to make public health interventions aimed at leveling territorial heterogeneity and guaranteeing equal access to high quality healthcare. <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA1639/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig>