Colonoscopic Findings Research Articles

Evaluating the Efficacy of Fecal Immunochemical Test, Fecal Calprotectin, and Serum C-Reactive Protein in Diagnosing Patients With Chronic Lower Gastrointestinal Symptoms.

Accurate early detection of ileocolonic lesions in patients with chronic lower gastrointestinal symptoms (LGISs) is often difficult due to the rarity of early-stage alarm signs. This study assesses the effectiveness of noninvasive blood and stool biomarkers in diagnosing ileocolonic lesions in patients with chronic LGISs undergoing colonoscopy. We conducted a prospective study between April 2020 and July 2022 involving patients with LGISs lasting a month or more. Before colonoscopy, we gathered clinical data, blood samples for C-reactive protein (CRP) and stool samples for fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and fecal calprotectin (FC) analysis. Of 922 participants analyzed (average age 62 years, 37% male), 130 (14.1%) had significant colonoscopy findings, including cancer, advanced adenoma, and inflammatory conditions. Test effectiveness showed an area under the curve of 0.630 for alarm features, 0.643 for CRP, 0.781 for FIT, and 0.667 for FC. Combining stool tests with alarm features improved diagnostic precision. Those without alarm features had a high negative predictive value of 0.97 with low threshold FIT and FC, missing minimal significant lesions, and no cancer. For patients with alarm features, dual high-cutoff test positivity showed a positive predictive value of 0.67. Adding CRP to fecal tests did not enhance accuracy. FIT and FC are valuable in evaluating LGISs. Negative results at low cutoffs can delay colonoscopy in limited resource settings while positive results at dual high cutoffs substantiate the need for the procedure.

Diagnostic Yield of Same Setting Oesophago-Gastro-Duodenoscopy (OGD)and Colonoscopy for Pediatric Patients with Chronic Diarrhea

Abstract Background In patients with unexplained chronic diarrhea colonoscopy and upper GI endoscopy are helpful in the diagnosis. It is the routine practice in Ain Shams University pediatric endoscopy unit to perform both procedures at same setting for patients with unexplained chronic diarrhea. Aim of the Work To find out whether doing Oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD) and colonoscopy in patients with chronic diarrhea in one setting is essential for the diagnosis of all cases. Patients and Methods Fifty patients presenting with chronic unexplained diarrhea (>4 weeks duration) in Paediatric Gastroenterology Unit, Children’s Hospital, Ain-Shams University were enrolled. After full history taking, physical examination, both endoscopies were performed biopsy taken and histopathological recording for each sample. Results Of 50 patients with chronic diarrhea included in our study; 23 (46%) had positive endoscopic findings in the OGD. Most common findings in esophagus and stomach were inflammation and erythema. while most common findings in duodenum were edema and flattened mucosa. Colonoscopy findings were positive in 50% of patients including inflammation, nodularity, and edema mostly in the ileum. 50% of endoscopied patients reached final diagnosis based on endoscopy and histopathology. Definitive diagnosis reached through EGD alone in (12%) of cases, through colonoscopy alone in (28%) and through both techniques in (60%). There was no statistical significant agreement between endoscopy findings and predominant gastrointestinal manifestations including different types of diarrhea, fecal calprotectin with p-value =0.150, and 0.833 respectively. There was no statistical significant agreement between final diagnosis and suspected GIT part involvement on initial clinical evaluation with p- value=0.805. Conclusion Endoscopy for upper gastrointestinal tract and colonoscopy at same day may be helpful in diagnosis of cases with chronic diarrhea as we can't decide which one to perform based on clinical presentation.

Coexistence of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, and ulcerative colitis

Introduction and importance: The coexistence of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and ulcerative colitis has been previously mentioned, as these diseases are autoimmune diseases. Limited data about the coexistence of rheumatoid arthritis in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis have been published till now. Meanwhile, the coexistence of Sjogren’s syndrome during the course of rheumatoid arthritis is well known. The coexistence of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Sjogren’s syndrome, and ulcerative colitis has also been reported in rare cases. Case presentation: A 32-year-old female, with a 10-year history of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, 4 years of rheumatoid arthritis, and 2 years of secondary Sjogren’s syndrome, presented to our Rheumatology Department, complaining of fatigue, weight loss, intermittent abdominal pain, and bloody diarrhea for the last 6 weeks. Her colonoscopy findings were compatible with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. Clinical discussion: Multiple autoimmune syndromes are defined as the presence of three or more autoimmune diseases in the same patient. They have an increased frequency in patients with a previous history of another autoimmune disease, and a higher correlation with females. The prevalence is rare and was documented only by two systematic reviews, with the rest being separate case reports. Autoimmune thyroid disease and Sjögren’s syndrome were the most frequent diseases encountered, followed by rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. The presence of these autoimmune diseases together suggests that they share a common pathological and physiological genesis. Conclusion: This is the first case report, to our knowledge, that describes the coexistence of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, and ulcerative colitis within 10 years, without a positive family history or psychological stress. Therefore, further studies and long-term surveys are needed to identify other factors that can contribute to the coexistence of these rare diseases.

Performance of OC-Auto Micro 80 Fecal Immunochemical Test in an Integrated Academic-Community Health System.

We aimed to determine the performance of the OC-Auto Micro 80 fecal immunochemical test (FIT) in an average-risk population receiving care in an integrated, academic-community health system. The FIT is the most used colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test worldwide. However, many Food and Drug Administration-cleared FIT products have not been evaluated in clinical settings. We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients (50 to 75y old) in the University of Washington Medicine health care system who were screened for CRC by OC-Auto Micro 80 FIT between March 2016 and September 2021. We used electronic health records to extract patient-level and clinic-level factors, FIT use, colonoscopy, and pathology findings. The primary outcomes were the FIT positivity rate and neoplasms detected at colonoscopy. Secondary outcomes were FIT positivity by sex and safety-net versus non-safety-net clinical settings. We identified 39,984 FITs completed by 26,384 patients; 2411 (6.0%) had a positive FIT result (>100 ng/mL of hemoglobin in buffer), and 1246 (51.7%) completed a follow-up colonoscopy. The FIT positive rate was 7.0% in men and 5.2% in women ( P <0.01). Among those who completed a colonoscopy after an abnormal FIT result, the positive predictive value for CRC, advanced adenoma, and advanced neoplasia was 3.0%, 20.9%, and 23.9%, respectively. In a retrospective analysis of a large heterogeneous population, the OC-Auto Micro 80 FIT for CRC screening demonstrated a positivity rate of 6.0% and a positive predictive value for CRC of 3.0%.

Correlation between High Incidence of Colorectal Neoplastic Polyps and High-risk Adenomas in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: A Retrospective Study.

Early detection and resection of colorectal polyps by routine colonoscopy screening can be effective in reducing the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to determine the association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and different types of colorectal polyps in the Chinese population. A retrospective analysis was performed on inpatients admitted to the Gastroenterology Department of our hospital from January to December 2019. Clinical data, and colonoscopy and pathology findings of the subjects were collected. Bivariate analysis was used to assess factors associated with colorectal polyps. Significant variables from the bivariate evaluation were included in a stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis to recognize independent predictors of neoplastic polyps and high-risk adenomas. The proportion of patients with DM was significantly higher in patients with neoplastic polyps and high-risk adenomas than in patients without polyps. Age ≥ 50 years, male gender, and a first-degree relative with a history of CRC were independent risk factors for neoplastic polyps and high-risk adenomas, even in non-smokers. An independent risk factor analysis that did not include a family history of CRC showed that age, gender, and alcohol consumption were independent risk factors for neoplastic polyps and high-risk adenomas. DM was an independent risk factor for high-risk adenomas (OR = 2.902, 95% CI = 1.221-6.899; p = 0.016) after adjusting for age, gender, alcohol consumption, and body mass index. Thus, a history of DM significantly increases the risk of high-risk adenomas. This study demonstrated that patients with DM, age ≥ 50 years, male gender, alcohol consumption, and a first-degree relative with a history of CRC should undergo regular endoscopic screening and colonic polypectomy.

Comparison of Colonoscopy and Histopathological Findings in Terminal Ileum Lesions

Öz Giriş ve Amaç Terminal ileumu etkileyen hastalıklarda kolonoskopi ile terminal ileumun görüntülenmesi ve biyopsi alınması altın standarttır. Bu çalışmada kolonoskopik görünüm ile terminal ileumun histopatolojik bulgularının tanısal açıdan karşılaştırılması amaçlandı. Gereç ve Yöntemler 2014-2023 yılları arasında Celal Bayar Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Gastroenteroloji kliniğinde kolonoskopi yapılan 971 hasta dosyası retrospektif incelenerek veriler toplandı. Hastaların yaş ve cinsiyet gibi demografik verileri kaydedildi. Kolonoskopi raporları ve histopatolojik bulguları değerlendirildi. Sonuçlar Hastaların 457’si (%47 ) kadın, 514’ü (%53) erkekti. Yaş ortalaması 47,7’di. Hem kolonoskopik hem de histopatolojik olarak terminal ileumu normal olan hasta sayısı 562(%57,8)’di. Terminal ileumda hem kolonoskopik hem de histopatolojik olarak en fazla görülen bulgu mukozal ödemdi (%6,1). Kolonoskopide normal terminal ileumu olanlarda histopatolojik olarak ileit saptanma oranı 27(%4) ve ileal ülser olanlarda patolojik olarak kronik inflamatuar barsak hastalığı saptanma oranı ise 28(%49,1)’di. Tartışma Kolonoskopik görünüm ile histopatolojik bulguların anlamlı oranda korele olduğu gösterildi. Bundan dolayı ileal hastalıkların tanısında hem kolonoskopik görünüm hem de histopatolojik bulgular aynı oranda değerlidir. Ayrıca klinik olarak gerekli durumlarda ileum entübasyonu ve histopatolojik değerlendirme mutlaka yapılmalıdır.

Clinical Characteristics and Etiology of Terminal Ileum Ulcers: A Retrospective Study.

Terminal ileal ulcers can have various etiologies, including Crohn's disease (CD), infections, and medication-related causes. This study aims to investigate the incidence of terminal ileal ulcers detected during colonoscopies, explore their underlying causes, and analyze their clinical, endoscopic, and histopathological characteristics. Additionally, the study aims to identify predictive factors that indicate the need for follow-up. Medical records of all patients who underwent colonoscopies, between 2009 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with terminal ileal ulcers, with or without ileocecal valve involvement, were included in the study. Demographic information, medication usage, symptoms, colonoscopy findings, and histopathological data of these patients were analyzed. A total of 398 patients were included in the study. Histopathological examination revealed that 243 patients (61%) had active ileitis, and 69 patients (17.4%) had chronic active ileitis. The final diagnoses for ulcers were: nonspecific ulcers in 212 patients (53.3%), CD in 66 patients (16.6%), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced ulcers in 58 patients (14.6%). In the multivariate analysis, the parameters predicting CD included the presence of 10 or more ulcers (odds ratio (OR) = 7.305), deep ulcers (OR = 7.431), and edematous surrounding tissue (OR = 5.174), all of which were statistically significant (P < .001). Upon final evaluation, only 66 patients (16.6%) were diagnosed with CD, while 212 patients (53.3%) had nonspecific ulcers. The majority of patients with healed ulcers exhibited pathological findings consistent with active ileitis. Therefore, it can be concluded that not all terminal ileal ulcers are indicative of CD. In those cases with active ileitis, repetitive colonoscopies should be reconsidered.

Impact of Bowel Preparation Quality on Colonoscopy Findings and Colorectal Cancer Deaths in a Nation-Wide Colorectal Cancer Screening Program.

Adequate bowel preparation is paramount for a high-quality screening colonoscopy. Despite the importance of adequate bowel preparation, there is a lack of large studies that associated the degree of bowel preparation with long-term colorectal cancer outcomes in screening patients. In a large population-based screening program database in Austria, quality of bowel preparation was estimated according to the Aronchick Scale by the endoscopist (excellent, good, fair, poor, and inadequate bowel preparation). We used logistic regression to assess the influence of bowel preparation on the detection of different polyp types and the interphysician variation in bowel preparation scoring. Time-to-event analyses were performed to investigate the association of bowel preparation with postcolonoscopy colorectal cancer (PCCRC) death. A total of 335,466 colonoscopies between January 2012 and follow-up until December 2022 were eligible for the analyses. As compared with excellent bowel preparation, adenoma detection was not significantly lower for good bowel preparation (odds ratio 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.9971-1.0329, P = 0.1023); however, adenoma detection was significantly lower in fair bowel preparation (odds ratio 0.97, 95% CI 0.9408-0.9939, P = 0.0166). Individuals who had fair or lower bowel preparation at screening colonoscopy had significantly higher hazards for PCCRC death (hazard ratio for fair bowel preparation 2.56, 95% CI 1.67-3.94, P < 0.001). Fair bowel preparation on the Aronchick Scale was not only associated with a lower adenoma detection probability but also with increased risk of PCCRC death. Efforts should be made to increase bowel cleansing above fair scores.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Using Immunochemical Faecal Occult Blood test in Perak – A Cross-Sectional Study

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in Malaysia (13.5%).1 Immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT) is known to be a newer, simpler, more sensitive, less expensive and non-invasive approach to CRC screening available.2, 3 The objectives of this study was to describe sociodemographic characteristics, prevalence of positive iFOBT tests and association between positive iFOBT tests, sociodemographic characteristics and colonoscopic findings of detecting CRC in Perak. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study, involving secondary data review of all patients screened for CRC using iFOBT in 96 government health clinics in Perak, from 1/1/2019 until 31/12/2019. Universal sampling method was used. Total of 819 patients were screened. Detailed colonoscopic findings were obtained from database in Perak State Health Department. Mean age was 62.64 (±7.37) years, 50.7% were females and 49.3% were males. Majority of respondents were Malays (57.4%) and iFOBT tests were done in urban government health clinics (67.8%). Out of 819 respondents, 3.1% obtained positive iFOBT results, majority being Malays (1.7%), females (1.6%) with age &lt;65 years old (1.8%). Among the 3.1%, only 4 had pre-cancerous/cancerous lesion colonoscopic findings. Analysis of association between positive iFOBT results, sociodemographic characteristics and colonoscopic findings revealed no significant association between age and gender with colonoscopic findings. There was significant association between ethnicity and colonoscopic findings (p=0.037), however, only 4 tested positive. The detection rate for carcinoma is suboptimal using iFOBT test, probably due to the low numbers screened. Further strengthening of the program is needed to achieve a more favourable outcome.

Colonoscopy findings after increasing two-stool faecal immunochemical test (FIT) cut-off: Cross-sectional analysis of the SCREESCO randomized trial.

We determined the impact of an increased two-stool faecal immunochemical test (FIT) cut-off on colonoscopy positivity and relative sensitivity and specificity in the randomized controlled screening trial screening of Swedish colons conducted in Sweden. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of participants in the FIT arm that performed FIT between March 2014 and 2020 within the study registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02078804, who had a faecal haemoglobin concentration of at least 10µg/g in at least one of two stool samples and who underwent a colonoscopy (n=3841). For each increase in cut-off, we computed the positive predictive value (PPV), numbers needed to scope (NNS), sensitivity and specificity for finding colorectal cancer (CRC) and advanced neoplasia (AN; advanced adenoma or CRC) relative to cut-off 10µg/g. The PPV for AN increased from 23.0% (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 22.3%-23.6%) at cut-off 10µg/g to 28.8% (95% CI: 27.8%-29.7%) and 33.1% (95% CI: 31.9%-34.4%) at cut-offs 20 and 40µg/g, respectively, whereas the NNS to find a CRC correspondingly decreased from 41 to 27 and 19. The PPV for AN was higher in men than women at each cut-off, for example 31.5% (95% CI: 30.1%-32.8%) in men and 25.6% (95% CI: 24.3%-27.0%) in women at 20µg/g. The relative sensitivity and relative specificity were similar in men and women at each cut-off. A low cut-off of around 20-40µg/g allows detection and removal of many AN compared to 10µg/g while reducing the number of colonoscopies in both men and women.

The Association between Anthropometric Indicators and Colorectal Polyps and Diverticulosis

Abstract Introduction Colonic polyps and diverticulosis are common colon findings on colonoscopy. One of the risk factors of colorectal polyps and diverticulosis is the anthropometric index. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between the anthropometric index and colorectal findings. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we included 536 patients referred to Razi Hospital, Rasht, Iran, in 2023 for colonoscopy evaluation. Demographical data, clinical characteristics, and colonoscopy findings were recorded for further analysis. All data were analyzed using SPSS.16 by considering a significant level &lt; 0.05 Results The results showed that 35.4% of the patients had polyps, with the majority having a single polyp. The patient's mean age was 55.94 ± 13.33 years; most were females (54.1%). The most common type of polyp was pedunculated, and most were located in the sigmoid colon. The prevalence of diverticular was 11.4%, most of which were also located in the sigmoid colon. Obesity was significantly associated with an increased risk of polyps, while overweight individuals had a higher risk of diverticula (P &lt; 0.05). Age, rural residence, and low physical activity level were identified as factors associated with an increased risk of polyps and diverticula. Conclusion The findings suggest that obesity and overweight are risk factors for polyps and diverticula, respectively. Further research is warranted to explore additional factors and develop preventive strategies for colorectal diseases. These results support the need for preventive strategies and screening programs to reduce the risk of future colorectal lesions.

Development of an algorithm combining blood-based biomarkers, fecal immunochemical test, and age for population-based colorectal cancer screening

Implementation of screening modalities have reduced the burden of colorectal cancer (CRC), but high false positive rates pose a major problem for colonoscopy capacity. We aimed to create a tailored screening algorithm that expands the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) with a blood specimen and current age to improve selection of individuals for diagnostic colonoscopy. In this prospective multi-center study, eight blood-based biomarkers (CEA, Ferritin, hsCRP, HE4, Cyfra21-1, Hepsin, IL-8 and OPG) were investigated in 1,977 FIT positive individuals from the Danish national CRC screening program undergoing follow-up colonoscopy. Specimens were analyzed on ARCHITECT i2000®, ARCHITECT c8000® or Luminex xMAP® machines. FIT analyses and blood-based biomarker data were combined with clinical data (i.e., age and colonoscopy findings) in a cross-validated logistic regression model (algorithm) benchmarked against a model solely using the FIT result (FIT model) applying different cutoffs for FIT positivity. The cohort included individuals with CRC (n = 240), adenomas (n = 938) or no neoplastic lesions (n = 799). The cross-validated algorithm combining the eight biomarkers, quantitative FIT result and age performed superior to the FIT model in discriminating CRC versus non-CRC individuals (AUC 0.77 versus 0.67, p < 0.001). When discriminating individuals with either CRC or high- or medium-risk adenomas versus low-risk adenomas or clean colorectum, the AUCs were 0.68 versus 0.64 for the algorithm and FIT model, respectively. The algorithm presented here can improve patient allocation to colonoscopy, reducing colonoscopy burden without compromising cancer and adenomas detection rates or vice versa.

A novel, noninvasive, multimodal screening test for the early detection of precancerous lesions and colorectal cancers using an artificial intelligence–based algorithm.

3627 Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and its incidence is increasing in younger populations. Detection of early-stage CRC and its precursor lesions, such as advanced adenomas (AA), is crucial for successful treatment and reduces CRC-related mortality. Although non-invasive methods for early detection are available and increase screening compliance, their performance with respect to detection of advanced adenomas and early-stage cancers is limited. Here, we describe a novel and non-invasive stool-based approach combining diagnostic biomarkers with an algorithm generated by machine learning/artificial intelligence (ML/AI) resulting in significantly improved diagnostic performance for the detection of not only CRC, but especially precancerous lesions like AA. Methods: Data were generated from a combined cohort of stool samples collected at 10 clinical sites in Europe (COLOFUTURE study) and 21 clinical sites in the US (eAArly DETECT study). The evaluable study cohort consists of 690 subjects, including 78 CRC, 146 AA, 147 with non-advanced adenoma (AD) and 319 normal colonoscopy negative control (NC) subjects (49% female, 51% male, average age 61.8 years). Results were compared with colonoscopy and pathology findings to determine sensitivity and specificity for detection of early-stage CRC and AA vs. AD and NC. Nucleic acids were extracted from stabilized stool samples using a silica bead-based extraction method. Expression of mRNA biomarkers was analyzed utilizing Real-Time PCR. Human hemoglobin was quantified using FIT. The Emerge Quantitative Evolution ML/AI platform was leveraged to develop classifiers capable of distinguishing CRC and AA from AD and NC. Results: Applying the combined approach of non-invasive diagnostic testing with an AI/ML generated algorithm, the sensitivity for detection of CRC overall was 92.3%. In addition, this method enabled AA detection with a sensitivity of 82.2%. Specificity turned out to be 90.1 % (AD+NC). Conclusions: This innovative, non-invasive, multimodal screening strategy based on self-collected stool samples which combines mRNA expression patterns and FIT analysis with an AI/ML-generated algorithm represents a substantial improvement in the effectiveness of non-invasive CRC screening. Such improvements in usability and performance leading to reliable detection of early-stage CRC and precursor lesions, such as advanced adenomas, are required for wide-spread availability and adaption of non-invasive screening tests to accepted clinically relevant usage and to prevent the development of CRC effectively.

Radiation proctitis after iodine-125 low-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy utilizing SpaceOAR hydrogel.

We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of combining the SpaceOAR (SOAR) hydrogel with prostate brachytherapy, using colonoscopy findings to assess for radiation proctitis. Among 731 patients undergoing iodine-125 low-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy (LDR-BT), SOAR was utilized in 394 patients (53.9%). Colonoscopy was performed for 97 patients (13.3%) to assess the presence, location, condition, and treatment of radiation proctitis. We also investigated treatment factors associated with the occurrence of radiation proctitis. Radiation proctitis was observed in 57 patients (7.8%) and 17 (2.3%) were treated with argon plasma coagulation (APC). The incidence of radiation proctitis was 12.2% in the non-SOAR and 4.1% in the SOAR group (p < 0.001). In the non-SOAR group, the incidence of radiation proctitis was 6.6% for LDR-BT monotherapy and increased to 22.0% when combined with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) (p = 0.001). However, in the SOAR group, these rates significantly decreased to 3.3% and 5.7% for monotherapy and combination therapy, respectively (p = 0.035, p < 0.001). With SOAR, inflammation was observed directly above the DL in most patients (87.5%), and only one patient (6.3%) required APC. The absence of SOAR (p < 0.001, HR = 0.29) and the concurrent use of EBRT (p = 0.018, HR = 2.87) were identified as significant risk factors for the occurrence of radiation proctitis. The use of SOAR significantly reduced the incidence of radiation proctitis in patients undergoing LDR-BT monotherapy and combined EBRT. Inflammation primarily occurred directly above the DL; further examination is necessary to clarify its cause.

Clinical and endoscopic characteristics of patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures in Egypt: a nationwide multicenter study

BackgroundEgypt faces a significant public health burden due to chronic liver diseases (CLD) and peptic ulcer disease. CLD, primarily caused by Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, affects over 2.9% of the population nationwide, with regional variations. Steatotic liver disease is rapidly emerging as a significant contributor to CLD, especially in urban areas. Acid-related disorders are another widespread condition that can significantly impact the quality of life. These factors and others significantly influence the indications and findings of gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures performed in Egypt.AimWe aimed to evaluate the clinico-demographic data, indications, and endoscopic findings in Egyptian patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures in various regions of Egypt.MethodsThis study employed a retrospective multicenter cross-sectional design. Data was collected from patients referred for gastrointestinal endoscopy across 15 tertiary gastrointestinal endoscopy units in various governorates throughout Egypt.Results5910 patients aged 38–63 were enrolled in the study; 75% underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), while 25% underwent a colonoscopy. In all studied patients, the most frequent indications for EGD were dyspepsia (19.5%), followed by hematemesis (19.06%), and melena (17.07%). The final EGD diagnoses for the recruited patients were portal hypertension-related sequelae (60.3%), followed by acid-related diseases (55%), while 10.44% of patients had a normally apparent endoscopy. Male gender, old age, and the presence of chronic liver diseases were more common in patients from upper than lower Egypt governorates. Hematochezia (38.11%) was the most reported indication for colonoscopy, followed by anemia of unknown origin (25.11%). IBD and hemorrhoids (22.34% and 21.86%, respectively) were the most prevalent diagnoses among studied patients, while normal colonoscopy findings were encountered in 18.21% of them.ConclusionThis is the largest study describing the situation of endoscopic procedures in Egypt. our study highlights the significant impact of regional variations in disease burden on the utilization and outcomes of GI endoscopy in Egypt. The high prevalence of chronic liver disease is reflected in the EGD findings, while the colonoscopy results suggest a potential need for increased awareness of colorectal diseases.

Colonoscopy findings in patients with haematochezia in Benin (South-South Nigeria): A 9-year prospective study.

Colonoscopy is an important armamentarium in the investigation of haematochezia. Patients with haematochezia are very anxious about the presence of blood in their faeces. They are usually referred for diagnostic colonoscopy based on the presence of blood in stool or anaemia. To highlight the causes of haematochezia in patients over a 9-year prospective period in the Premier tertiary health centre in the South-South zone of Nigeria. All Consecutive patients seen in our surgical services (June 1, 2009, to May 30, 2018) requiring colonoscopy for haematochezia were entered into a proforma. The demographics, findings at colonoscopy, and outcome of colonoscopy were analysed. Three hundred and sixty-five colonoscopies were done during the study period; of these, 44% (160 patients) had a colonoscopy for haematochezia. Mean age of patients was 54.7 years. Age range was 16-86 years. Cluster age group was fifth to seventh decade (62.5%). The male-to-female ratio was 2:1. Causes of haematochezia were Haemorrhoids 32.5%, large bowel cancer 23.8%, diverticular disease 10%, inflammatory disease of the bowel 6.3%, polyps 3.8%. About 15% of the patients had more than one colonic site of bleeding. The most common subsites for colon cancer were rectum and sigmoid colon (79.6%), in 11 patients (6.8%) was the tumour within reach of the examining finger. Repeat colonoscopy occurred in 3 patients (0.8%). The most common complication of colonoscopy was bleeding (0.8%). Two patients (0.5%) had colonic perforation. Forty-four percent (44%) of colonoscopy in Benin, South-South Nigeria has haematochezia as its indication. The cluster age group is the fifth to seventh decade. One in four patients had colon cancer and in 6.8% the tumour was within reach of the examining finger. It is the authors' opinion that colonoscopy should be routinely done in patients with haematochezia in South-South Nigeria.

The Yield of Colonoscopy in the Evaluation of Constipation: An Age-Based Analysis of Outcome.

Background: Chronic constipation, a prevalent gastrointestinal complaint, exhibits rising incidence and diverse clinical implications, especially among the aging population. This study aims to assess colonoscopy performance in chronic constipation across age groups, comprehensively evaluating diagnostic yield and comparing results with average-risk controls. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 50,578 colonoscopy procedures performed over 12 years, including 5478 constipated patients. An average-risk control group (n = 4100) was included. Data extracted from electronic medical records covered demographics, operational aspects, and colonoscopy findings. The primary outcome measures included the diagnosis rate of colorectal cancer (CRC), polyp detection rate (PDR), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) diagnoses in constipated patients versus controls, with age-based and multivariate analyses. Results: Constipated patients exhibiting lower rates of adequate bowel preparation (92.7% vs. 85.3%; p < 0.001) and a lower cecal intubation rate. No significant variances between CRC and PDR were observed between constipated and controls, except for a potential of a slightly elevated CRC risk in constipated patients older than 80 (2.50% vs. 0% in controls; p = 0.07). Multivariate analysis demonstrated, across all age groups, that constipation did not confer an increased risk for CRC or polyp detection. Younger constipated patients exhibited a higher rate of IBD diagnoses (1.7% vs. 0.1% in controls; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Constipation did not confer an increased risk for CRC or polyps, among any age groups, except for a potential signal of elevated CRC risk in patients older than 80; additionally, it was associated with higher rates of IBD in younger patients.

Surveillance colonoscopy findings in asymptomatic participants over 75 years of age.

Surveillance colonoscopy for colorectal cancer (CRC) is generally not recommended beyond 75 years of age. The study determined incidence and predictors of advanced adenoma and CRC in older individuals undergoing surveillance colonoscopy. This was a retrospective cohort study of asymptomatic older participants (≥75 years), enrolled in a South Australian CRC surveillance program who underwent colonoscopy (2015-2020). Clinical records were extracted for demographics, personal or family history of CRC, comorbidities, polypharmacy, and colonoscopy findings. The associations between clinical variables and advanced adenoma or CRC at surveillance were assessed with multivariable Poisson regression analysis. Totally 698 surveillance colonoscopies were analyzed from 574 participants aged 75-91 years (55.6% male). The incidence of CRC was 1.6% (11/698), while 37.9% (260/698) of procedures had advanced adenoma detected. Previous CRC (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 5.9, 95% CI 1.5-22.5), age ≥85 years (IRR 5.8, 95% CI 1.6-20.1) and active smoking (IRR 4.9, 95% CI 1.0-24.4) were independently associated with CRC diagnosis, while advanced adenoma at immediately preceding colonoscopy (IRR 1.6, 95% CI 1.3-2.0) and polypharmacy (IRR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-1.5) were associated with advanced adenoma at surveillance colonoscopy in asymptomatic older participants (≥75 years). Advanced neoplasia was found in more than one third of the surveillance procedures completed in this cohort. Continuation of surveillance beyond age 75 yeasrs may be considered in participants who have previous CRC or are active smokers (provided they are fit to undergo colonoscopy). In other cases, such as past advanced adenoma only, the need for ongoing surveillance should be considered alongside participant preference and health status.

Early-onset Colorectal Cancer Patients Do Not Require Shorter Intervals for Post-surgical Surveillance Colonoscopy

Early-onset colorectal cancer (EO-CRC), diagnosed before age 50, is rising in incidence worldwide. Although post-surgical colonoscopy surveillance strategies exist, appropriate intervals in EO-CRC remain elusive, as long-term surveillance outcomes remain scant. We sought to compare findings of surveillance colonoscopies of EO-CRC with patients with average onset colorectal cancer (AO-CRC) to help define surveillance outcomes in these groups. Single-institution retrospective chart review identified EO-CRC and AO-CRC patients with colonoscopy and no evidence of disease. Surveillance intervals and time to development of advanced neoplasia (CRC and advanced polyps [adenoma/sessile serrated]) were examined. For each group, 3 serial surveillance colonoscopies were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed utilizing log-ranked Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards. A total of 1259 patients with CRC were identified, with 612 and 647 patients in the EO-CRC and AO-CRC groups, respectively. Compared with patients with AO-CRC, patients with EO-CRC had a 29% decreased risk of developing advanced neoplasia from time of initial surgery to first surveillance colonoscopy (hazard ratio, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.52-1.0). Average follow-up time from surgical resection to first surveillance colonoscopy was 12.6 months for both cohorts. Overall surveillance findings differed between cohorts (P= .003), and patients with EO-CRC were found to have less advanced neoplasia compared with their counterparts with AO-CRC (12.4% vs 16.0%, respectively). Subsequent colonoscopies found that, while patients with EO-CRC returned for follow-up surveillance colonoscopy earlier than patients with AO-CRC, the EO-CRC cohort did not have more advanced neoplasia nor non-advanced adenomas. Patients with EO-CRC do not have an increased risk of advanced neoplasia compared with patients with AO-CRC and therefore do not require more frequent colonoscopy surveillance than current guidelines recommend.

Mycophenolate-induced colitis in a patient with lupus nephritis: a case report and review of the literature

BackgroundMycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an immunosuppressive drug that is frequently prescribed to patients with rheumatological diseases. MMF’s side effects include abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and other gastro-intestinal side effects, which typically appear in the first few months of treatment. However, late-onset diarrhea does not rule out the presence of MMF-induced colitis, which can be misdiagnosed since it is linked to a broad range of histopathological characteristics, including alterations that resemble inflammatory bowel disease, graft-versus-host disease, and ischemia. The differences in treatment response may be explained by the complexity of the histopathologic characteristics.Case presentationHere we present a case of a 29-year-old Arabian female with lupus nephritis who started on MMF as induction therapy. In two months, the patient was presented to the Emergency Department with diarrhea and manifestations of severe dehydration. Infectious diseases and adverse drug events were suspected, so the patient was admitted for further workup, and MMF was stopped. The patient was diagnosed with MMF-induced colitis based on colonoscopy and histological findings. Fourteen days after stopping MMF, she was within her baseline.ConclusionThe purpose of this paper is to report a case of early-onset MMF-induced colitis in a patient with lupus nephritis who had started MMF as induction therapy. A review of the available literature on this uncommon immunosuppressive effect is also presented.