Role of colonoscopy in evaluating hematochezia

The latest issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy examines the role of colonoscopy in evaluating hematochezia in a population-based study in a large consortium of endoscopy practices.

Dr Ian Gralnek from Louisiana, USA characterized the patient population who received colonoscopy for hematochezia in a consortium of diverse gastroenterology practices.

The team performed a retrospective analysis using data from the Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative Database between 2002 to 2008.

The researchers evaluated adults undergoing colonoscopy for the indication of hematochezia.

The team reported that demographics, comorbidity, practice setting, adverse events, and colonoscopy procedure characteristics and findings.

Age-stratified analyses and analyses of inpatient- versus outpatient-performed colonoscopies were also performed.

The research team examined that a total of 966,536 colonoscopies were performed during the study period, 76,186 were performed for evaluation of hematochezia.

The majority of patients were white non-Hispanic men younger than 60 years old who underwent colonoscopy at a community practice site, and had a low-risk American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, in whom colonoscopy reached the

The team noted that cecum, and serious adverse events were rare.

38% were 60 years of age and older

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

The doctors noted that colonoscopy findings were hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, and polyp or multiple polyps.

From the overall cohort, 38% were 60 years of age and older.

The research team assessed that the older age cohort had significantly more white non-Hispanic females, high-risk American Society of Anesthesiologists scores, incomplete colonoscopies, and unplanned events.

Colonoscopy findings demonstrated significantly higher rates of diverticulosis, polyp or multiple polyps, mucosal abnormality/colitis, tumor, and solitary ulcer.

There were 3941 who underwent inpatient-performed colonoscopy.

The team found that about 33% of this cohort was defined as having a high American Society of Anesthesiologists score.

Dr Gralnek's team concludes, "These results describe patient populations and characterize colonoscopy findings in individuals presenting with hematochezia primarily in a community practice setting."