Colonoscopic findings in patients referred to Erbil public endoscopy units

Abstract

Background and objective: Colonoscopy, which is the visual examination of the large bowel and distal part of the small bowel, is an important diagnostic and therapeutic procedure. This study aimed to find out diagnostic findings of endoscopies in Erbil endoscopy unit and relation to important personal data including age and gender. Methods: An observational study was carried out from July 2017 to October 2017. Colonoscopies were done for 125 patients who met the inclusion criteria. Results: The findings of 125 colonoscopies were classified into gross and pathological findings. Colitis was found in 17 patients (13.6%), of which 10 patients (58.4%) had inflammatory bowel disease with higher incidence in females (60%). Polyps were found in 20 patients (16%) with adenomatous type being the most common pathological type (12 patients, 60%). Grossly sessile types were found in 13 patients (60%).Malignant tumors were found in eight cases (6.4%) with male predominance (62.5%). Ulcers were found in six cases (4.8%), and diverticula in five cases (4%). Normal colonoscopy was found in 46 cases (36.8%), with majority of these cases (37 cases) aged 21-41 years. Hemorrhoids were found in 23 patients (18.4%). Conclusion: Polyps were the most common colonic mucosal pathology with male predominance and older ages, followed by colitis with a higher incidence in females. Malignancies had lesser frequencies, the majority being in male and old age people. Normal colonoscopies and hemorrhoids were the largest groups, and diverticula with ulcers were the least findings.