Published online Feb 15, 2017. doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v8.i1.3
Peer-review started: September 14, 2016
First decision: October 21, 2016
Revised: November 23, 2016
Accepted: December 7, 2016
Article in press: December 9, 2016
Published online: February 15, 2017
Processing time: 149 Days and 19.9 Hours
To identify the prevalence, and clinical and pathologic characteristic of colonic polyps among Iranian patients undergoing a comprehensive colonoscopy, and determine the polyp detection rate (PDR) and adenoma detection rate (ADR).
In this cross-sectional study, demographics and epidemiologic characteristics of 531 persons who underwent colonoscopies between 2014 and 2015 at Mehrad gastrointestinal clinic were determined. Demographics, indication for colonoscopy, colonoscopy findings, number of polyps, and histopathological characteristics of the polyps were examined for each person.
Our sample included 295 (55.6%) women and 236 (44.4%) men, with a mean age of 50.25 ± 14.89 years. Overall PDR was 23.5% (125/531). ADR and colorectal cancer detection rate in this study were 12.8% and 1.5%, respectively. Polyps were detected more significantly frequently in men than in women (52.8% vs 47.2%, P < 0.05). Polyps can be seen in most patients after the age of 50. The average age of patients with cancer was significantly higher than that of patients with polyps (61.3 years vs 56.4 years, P < 0.05). The majority of the polyps were adenomatous. More than 50% of the polyps were found in the rectosigmoid part of the colon.
The prevalence of polyps and adenomas in this study is less than that reported in the Western populations. In our patients, distal colon is more susceptible to developing polyps and cancer than proximal colon.
Core tip: One of the major reasons for colonoscopy is detection of colon polyps, such as adenomas. Early diagnosis and endoscopic removal of adenomatous polyps is one of the main objectives for screening and prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC). Given that, only few studies are available in the national literature regarding the assessment of colorectal polyps, but none has explicitly noted the rate of polyp detection. Nevertheless, our study provides comprehensive information about clinical and epidemiological features of colorectal polyps. Therefore, the results of this study can provide a good infrastructure for the next preventive program and have clinical implications for CRC screening.