Polyp detection rate and pathological features in patients undergoing a comprehensive colonoscopy screening.

Aim: To identify the prevalence, and clinical and pathologic characteristic of colonic polyps among Iranian patients undergoing a comprehensive colonoscopy, and determine the polyp detection rate (PDR) and adenoma detection rate (ADR).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, demographics and epidemiologic characteristics of 531 persons who underwent colonoscopies between 2014 and 2015 at Mehrad gastrointestinal clinic were determined. Demographics, indication for colonoscopy, colonoscopy findings, number of polyps, and histopathological characteristics of the polyps were examined for each person.

Results: Our sample included 295 (55.6%) women and 236 (44.4%) men, with a mean age of 50.25 ± 14.89 years. Overall PDR was 23.5% (125/531). ADR and colorectal cancer detection rate in this study were 12.8% and 1.5%, respectively. Polyps were detected more significantly frequently in men than in women (52.8% vs 47.2%, P < 0.05). Polyps can be seen in most patients after the age of 50. The average age of patients with cancer was significantly higher than that of patients with polyps (61.3 years vs 56.4 years, P < 0.05). The majority of the polyps were adenomatous. More than 50% of the polyps were found in the rectosigmoid part of the colon.

Conclusion: The prevalence of polyps and adenomas in this study is less than that reported in the Western populations. In our patients, distal colon is more susceptible to developing polyps and cancer than proximal colon.