The researchers examined 3,287 patients undergoing screening colonoscopy between May 1, 2005 and Dec. 31, 2007 in the state of Saarland in Germany and who were aged 55 years or older, according to the article. Information regarding previous colonoscopy history was obtaining using a questionnaire, and prevalence of advanced colorectal neoplasms was determined by the colonoscopy and examination of any polyps removed.
Advanced neoplasms were found in 11.4 percent of 2,701 patients who had no prior colonoscopy, compared with 6.1 percent of 586 patients who had a colonoscopy in the previous 10 years, according to the article. Researchers also found the following site-specific prevalence ratios:
- Overall — 0.52
- Cecum and ascending colon — 0.99
- Hepatic flexure and transverse colon — 1.21
- Right-sided colon combined (cecum to transverse colon) — 1.05
- Splenic flexure and descending colon — 0.36
- Sigmoid colon — 0.29
- Rectum — 0.07
- Left colon and rectum combined (splenic flexure to rectum, referred to as left-sided elsewhere) — 0.33
The researchers concluded that prevalence of left-sided advanced colorectal neoplasms was reduced within a 10-year screening colonoscopy period, but not right-sided neoplasms. Reasons for this difference were not given in the abstract.
Read the article on the prevalence of advanced colorectal neoplasms in colonoscopy.
