RISK FACTORS PREDICTIVE OF POSITIVE FINDINGS AT COLONOSCOPY

Aims The objective of our study is to evaluate the pertinence of indication of a pathological colonoscopy and its associated factors.

Methods A retrospective descriptive and analytical study was conducted during January 2018 to August 2021, including all patients who underwent colonoscopy. Patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were excluded from our study.

Results The study included 1518 colonoscopies. Among them, 655 (44.6%) were pathological.

The mean age was 57.6+/- 14.98 years (12 to 92 years). The sex ratio (M/F) was 1.59.

The most common indications for pathological colonoscopy were: rectal bleeding in 31% (n=203), diarrhea in 22% (n=144), constipation in 21.8% (n=143), iron deficiency anemia in 15.3% (n=100) and melena in 3.4% of cases (n=22)

The principal diagnoses found were: colorectal polyps in 55.6% (n=356), colitis in 19.7% (n=126), colorectal process in 13.4% (n=86), colic diverticulosis in 11.9% (n=76) and colic angiodysplasia in 9.7% of cases (n=62)

After multivariate analysis, age>50 years (OR: 1.9, CI95%: 1.4- 2.5, p<0.001); male sex (OR: 1.7, CI95%: 1.3-2.3, p<0.001), a history of colorectal polyps (OR: 3.8, CI95%: 2-7, p<0.001), good preparation (OR:1.4, CI95%: 1- 1.9; p=0.015), presence of iron deficiency anemia (OR: 0.7, CI95%: 0.5-0.8; p=0.007), constipation (OR: 0.7, CI95%: 0.5-0.9; p=0.037); and rectal bleeding (OR: 1.3, CI95%: 1-1.8; p=0.038) were significant associated factors with a pathological colonoscopy.

Conclusions In present study, rectal bleeding was the most common indication for colonoscopy. Factors associated with pathological colonoscopy were age, gender, good preparation, presence of rectal bleeding, constipation, and diarrhea.

Publication History

Article published online:
14 April 2022