Association between colonic diverticulosis and prevalence of colorectal polyps

Introduction

Diverticulosis and colorectal polyps increase in frequency as the population ages. Proposed common mechanisms for both include lack of dietary fiber, increased saturated fats, and slow colonic transit time. The association of diverticulosis and colorectal polyps has been previously reported with conflicting results. Despite sharing common epidemiologic predisposing factors, the association between diverticulosis and colon polyps remains unclear and needs better clarification.

Aim

The primary aim of our study is to evaluate if there is any association between diverticular disease and colorectal polyps.

Materials and methods

This is a retrospective cohort study. All consecutive patients who underwent colonoscopy between January 2009 and December 2011 were included, except those with history of inflammatory bowel disease, polyposis syndrome, and poor bowel preparation. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the association between colon polyps and diverticulosis. Hyperplastic polyps were excluded from the statistical analysis, and only pre-cancerous adenomas were included.

Results

A total of 2,223 patients met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of colorectal polyps in patients with diverticulosis was significantly higher than those without diverticulosis (odds ratio (OR) 1.54; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.27–1.80, p?=?0.001). This association was found significant for all locations of polyps and all histological subtypes. There was also a statistically significant association between age, presence of diverticulosis, and colorectal polyps (OR 1.03; 95 % CI 1.02–1.04). The incidence of colorectal polyps increases as age advances in patients with diverticulosis, with the highest association in patients >70 years of age (OR 3.55; 95 % CI 2.50–5.04). There was no significant association between indication for colonoscopy and presence of colorectal polyps in patients with diverticulosis (OR 0.98; 95 % CI 0.95–1.01). The incidence of diverticulitis was low (<1 %), and there was no association between diverticulitis and colon polyps.

Conclusion

There is a significant association between diverticulosis and synchronous pre-cancerous colorectal polyps (adenomas). Patients with diverticulosis have a higher risk of colorectal polyps as compared to those without. This observation needs further validation by a large prospective cohort study.     

Association between colonic screening, subject characteristics, and stage of colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVES: Colorectal cancer remains a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in North America. Colorectal cancer survival is highly dependent on stage at diagnosis, therefore it is important to identify factors related to stage. This study evaluated the association between subject factors (e.g., colonic screening, family history) and stage of colorectal cancer at diagnosis. METHODS: Population-based colorectal cancer cases recruited by the Ontario Familial Colon Cancer Registry between 1997 and 1999 were staged according to the tumor-nodal-metastasis (TNM) staging system and classified as early (TNM I/II) or late (TNM III/IV) stage. Epidemiologic information and stage was available for 768 cases. Multivariate logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios (OR) estimates. RESULTS: Having had screening endoscopy reduced the risk of late stage diagnosis (OR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.22-0.98). Being older (>45 yr) was associated with a reduced risk of late stage cancer (OR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.18-0.74), as was having a first degree relative with colorectal cancer (OR =0.66, 95% CI 0.46-0.95). Rural residence (OR = 1.48, 95% CI 1.01-2.17) and non-white ethnicity (OR = 3.34, 95% CI 1.20-9.36) were associated with an increased risk of late stage cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Several factors are independently associated with late stage colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer screening awareness and education programs need to consider targeting persons most likely to present with late stage colorectal cancer.     

Promoting use of colorectal cancer screening tests

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is underutilized despite evidence that screening reduces mortality. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of an intervention targeting physicians and their patients on rates of CRC screening. DESIGN: A randomized clinical trial of community physicians and their patients. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-four community primary care physicians randomly assigned to an intervention consisting of academic detailing and direct mailings to patients or a control group. Patients aged 50 to 79 years in the intervention group physicians received a letter from their physician, a brochure on CRC screening, and a packet of fecal occult blood test (FOBT) cards. MEASUREMENTS: After 1 year we measured receipt of the following: (1) FOBT in the past 2 years, (2) flexible sigmoidoscopy (SIG) or colonoscopy (COL) in the previous 5 years, and (3) any CRC screening. We report the percent change from baseline in both groups. RESULTS: 9,652 patients were enrolled for 2 years, and 3,732 patients were enrolled for 5 years. There was no increase in any CRC screening that occurred in the intervention group for patients enrolled for 2 years (12.7 increase vs 12.5%, P=.51). Similar results were seen for any CRC screening among patients enrolled for 5 years (9.7% increase vs 8.6%, P=.45). The only outcome on which the intervention had an effect was on patient rates of screening SIG (7.4% increase vs 4.4%, P<.01). CONCLUSION: With the exception of an increase in rates of SIG in the intervention group, the intervention had no effect on rates of CRC screening. Future interventions should assess innovative approaches to increase rates of CRC screening.     

Korean guidelines for colorectal cancer screening and polyp detection

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in males and the fourth most common in females in Korea. Since the most of colorectal cancer occur through the prolonged transformation of adenomas into carcinomas, early detection and removal of colorectal adenomas are one of the most effective methods to prevent colorectal cancer. Considering the increasing incidence of colorectal cancer and polyps in Korea, it is very important to establish Korean guideline for colorectal cancer screening and polyp detection. Korean Multi-Society Take Force developed the guidelines with evidence-based methods. Parts of the statements drawn by systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Herein we discussed the epidemiology of colorectal cancers and adenomas in Korea, optimal screening methods for colorectal cancer, and detection for adenomas including fecal occult blood tests, radiologic tests, and endoscopic examinations.     

miRNA在结肠癌早期诊断和筛选中的作用

miRNA(microRNA)是近年研究发现的存在于血液和结肠癌组织中的一类独特的小RNA, 他们作为生物标志可准确地诊断结肠癌, 并且能辅助预测结肠癌的复发. 特异性miRNA过表达或沉默与结肠癌的发展和演进有关, 肿瘤细胞的转移和耐药性涉及miRNA.组织和血液中的特异性miRNA差异表达为结肠癌早期诊断和筛选提供了应用前景.miRNA在肿瘤生成中的作用表明: miRNA在缓解和防止肿瘤复发中有着潜在的重要作用,他们可能成为肿瘤基因治疗的重要靶点. 本文主要综述了特异性miRNA在结肠癌早期诊断和筛选中的作用.     

Correlations between gastric Helicobacter pylori infection and colorectal polyps or cancer

<正>Objective To investigate the correlations between gastric Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and colorectal polyps or cancer. Methods Among patients who finished colonoscopy exams in Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) between May 2012 and May 2017,     

The psychologic effect of attending a screening program for colorectal polyps

BACKGROUND: Participation in screening programs for malignant disease may have negative psychologic health effects that could outweigh the beneficial effects of the screening itself. The present study was designed to investigate the psychologic effect of attending a screening program for detection and removal of colorectal adenomas, which are precursors to colorectal cancer. METHOD: In 1983 a prospective. controlled screening study using flexible sigmoidoscopy to detect adenomas was started in Telemark County, Norway. Four hundred individuals were enrolled as a screening group and 399 as a control group. In 1996 survivors in both groups were invited to have a colonoscopic screening examination for detection and removal of polyps. Four hundred and fifty-one individuals (71%) attended; their mean age was 67.2 years (range, 63-72 years), and 48% were women. Fourteen days and 3 and 17 months after the examination the attendees received by mail a questionnaire composed of Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The questionnaire was also mailed to an age- and sex-matched group not enrolled in the endoscopic screening study. Four hundred and nine (95%), 395 (92%), and 389 (91%), respectively, returned the questionnaire. Of the controls 314 (70%) returned filled-in questionnaires. RESULTS: The scores for both GHQ-28 and HADS were lower, indicating a lower level of psychiatric morbidity among those attending the examination in 1996 than among the controls. There was a trend towards higher scores with increasing time after the examination in the screened group. CONCLUSION: During the first 17 months after screening the attendees, as a group, did not appear to have developed untoward psychologic effects as judged by HADS and GHQ questionnaires.     

Serrated polyps: detection, risk of colorectal cancer and treatment and surveillance strategies

Hyperplastic polyps of the colon have traditionally been considered benign lesions without risk of progression to malignancy. However, hyperplastic polyps are only part of the spectrum of polyps known as serrated polyps. These polyps, which share a common sawtooth appearance, include distinct subtypes of lesions that can potentially undergo malignant transformation to colorectal carcinoma through the serrated pathway. Therefore, to prevent this process, affected patients must undergo surveillance and lesions must be identified and resected. Studies presented this year at the congress of the American Gastroenterological Association have provided useful information to better characterize these lesions -particularly important for the prevention of colorectal cancer- and to establish appropriate surveillance strategies.     

Polyethylene glycol versus sodium picosulfalte bowel preparation in the setting of a colorectal cancer screening program

BACKGROUND:

Adequate bowel preparation for colonoscopy is an important predictor of colonoscopy quality.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the difference in terms of effectiveness between different existing colon cleansing products in the setting of a colorectal cancer screening program.

METHODS:

The records of consecutive patients who underwent colonoscopy at the Montreal General Hospital (Montreal, Quebec) between April 2013 and April 2014 were retrospectively extracted from a dedicated electronic digestive endoscopic institutional database.

RESULTS:

Overall, 2867 charts of patients undergoing colonoscopy were assessed, of which 1130 colonoscopies were performed in a screening setting; patients had adequate bowel preparation in 90%. Quality of preparation was documented in only 61%. Bowel preparation was worse in patients receiving sodium picosulfate (PICO) alone compared with polyethylene glycol, in a screening setting (OR 0.3 [95% CI 0.2 to 0.6]). Regardless of the preparation type, the odds of achieving adequate quality cleansing was 6.6 for patients receiving a split-dose regimen (OR 6.6 [95% CI 2.1 to 21.1]). In multivariable analyses, clinical variables associated with inadequate bowel preparation in combined population were use of PICO, a nonsplit regimen and inpatient status. The polyp detection rate was very high (45.6%) and was correlated with withdrawal time.

CONCLUSION:

Preparation quality needs to be more consistently included in the colonoscopy report. Split-dose regimens increased the quality of colon cleansing across all types of preparations and should be the preferred method of administration. Polyethylene glycol alone provided better bowel cleansing efficacy than PICO in a screening setting but PICO remains an alternative in association with an adjuvant.