PDF icon Download PDF
Open Access
CC BY 4.0 · Journal of Coloproctology 2025; 45(02): s00451809613
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1809613
Original Article

Colonoscopic Findings of Patients with Rectal Bleeding: Insights from a Single Centre Study

Mohamed Elbadry
1   Department of Endemic Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
,
Mina Tharwat 
2   Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology Department, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt
,
Noha Hamdy Eltaweel
3   Department of Medical Molecular Genetics, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
,
Marwa Ali Tahon
4   Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine Institute, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University Egypt, Menofia Governorate, Egypt
,
Abdelmajeed Mahmoud
2   Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology Department, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt
› Author Affiliations
Funding The author(s) received no financial support for the research.
› Further Information
Also available ateRef
  Permissions and Reprints
Preview

Abstract

Introduction

Rectal bleeding is a common symptom prompting an urgent investigation. Colonoscopy plays a crucial role in diagnosing the underlying cause and guiding treatment. We aimed to analyze colonoscopic findings in patients with rectal bleeding at a single center.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted on the medical records of patients who underwent colonoscopy for suspected rectal bleeding. Data collected included demographics, clinical presentation, colonoscopic findings, and final diagnoses.

Results

A total of 205 patients underwent colonoscopy for rectal bleeding. The mean age was 47.35 ± 14.6 years, with a male predominance of 57.5%. Hematochezia was the most common presentation (73%), followed by melena (18%) and maroon stools (9%). Colonoscopy identified 5 different sources of bleeding. Hemorrhoids were the most common endoscopic finding (76%), followed by combined hemorrhoids and colonic polyps (38%), colonic polyps alone (28%), and colorectal cancer (20%). No lesions were detected in 10% of patients. The left colon emerged as the most frequent site for bleeding lesions (88.1%). Age influenced the distribution of endoscopic findings. Hemorrhoids were prevalent in both age groups, but the presence of both hemorrhoids and polyps/masses was more frequent in younger patients (<45 years). Rectal ulcers were observed exclusively in younger patients, while CRC showed a slightly higher prevalence in this group.

Conclusion

Hemorrhoids are the leading cause of LGIB in Upper Egypt, with a higher prevalence compared to other regions. The left colon was the common location for bleeding lesions. Age may influence the causes of LGIB, younger patients present more frequently with combined pathologies.

Keywords

colonoscopy - lower gastrointestinal bleeding - LGIB - hemorrhoids - colon cancer

Ethics Approval

Non-applicable, being a review article with no patient-related data.


Authors Contributions

ME, AM: Study design; MAT and NHE: data analysis; MT and NHE: patient recruitment, data collection, and writing up of the first draft of the paper. All authors revised and approved the final version of the manuscript.




Publication History

Received: 25 July 2024

Accepted: 22 May 2025

Article published online:
20 June 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda.
Rua Rego Freitas, 175, loja 1, República, São Paulo, SP, CEP 01220-010, Brazil

Bibliographical Record
Mohamed Elbadry, Mina Tharwat, Noha Hamdy Eltaweel, Marwa Ali Tahon, Abdelmajeed Mahmoud. Colonoscopic Findings of Patients with Rectal Bleeding: Insights from a Single Centre Study. Journal of Coloproctology 2025; 45: s00451809613.
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1809613