Colonic neoplasia in patients with nonspecific GI symptoms

David A. Lieberman, Patricia L. De Garmo, David E. Fleischer, Glenn M. Eisen, Benjamin K.S. Chan, Mark Helfand

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

63 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence rate of colonic polyps or masses 1 cm or greater in diameter in patients with nonspecific abdominal symptoms, from diverse practice settings, using a national endoscopic database. Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy were included based on procedure indication. Endoscopic data were generated with a computer database at each practice site, transmitted to a central data bank and merged with data from multiple sites for analysis. Group 1 patients had nonspecific abdominal symptoms, which were defined as pain, constipation and diarrhea. Group 2 patients had a positive fecal occult blood test. Group 3 patients were asymptomatic, undergoing screening colonoscopy. Serious colon pathology was defined as a polyp or mass greater than 9 mm in size. Results: Data were collected from 31 practice sites in 21 states during a period of 18 months. Of the 20,745 colonoscopy examinations, 9.2% were performed to evaluate patients with nonspecific abdominal symptoms, excluding other indications. Among patients with nonspecific symptoms 7.27% had polyp(s) 1 cm or greater in diameter compared with 17.05% of patients with positive fecal occult blood test (odds ratio 2.12: CI [1.73, 2.60]; p < 0.001). Patients with nonspecific symptoms had similar rates of large polyps as asymptomatic patients (7.27% vs. 6.45%, p = 0.32). Multivariate analysis identified several independent variables including increasing age, male gender and practice site at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Conclusions: In diverse, practice-based settings, patients with nonspecifiC abdominal symptoms who are referred for colonoscopy do not have a higher risk of serious colonic pathology than asymptomatic patients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)647-651
Number of pages5
JournalGastrointestinal endoscopy
Volume51
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Gastroenterology

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