Characteristics of included studies potentially suitable for meta-analysis (universal health care systems).

Quality score ranges from 1 (lowest quality) to 6 (highest quality).aSocioeconomic index (SEI) and household income also measured but individual education level used in analyses as it contained least missing data.bOdds ratio for 1 unit increase in deprivation score, range unknown.cOdds ratio for 1 unit increase in deprivation score, range 1–80.dQuality score 4 where adjusted OR used and 2 where unadjusted rates used.HES, Hospital Episode Statistics; HES FCE, Hospital Episode Statistics Finished Consultant Episode; IMD, Index of Multiple Deprivation; LUCADA, Lung Cancer Audit; MDM, multi-disciplinary meeting; NCIN/UKACR, National Cancer Information Network/UK Association of Cancer Registries; NR, not reported; OR, odds ratio; SEP, socioeconomic position; UHCS, universal health care system.