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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 21, 2006; 12(47): 7684-7689
Published online Dec 21, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i47.7684
Differences in characteristics of colorectal neoplasm between young and elderly Thais
Rungsun Rerknimitr, Winudda Ratanapanich, Pradermchai Kongkam, Pinit Kullavanijaya
Rungsun Rerknimitr, Winudda Ratanapanich, Pradermchai Kongkam, Pinit Kullavanijaya, Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Rungsun Rerknimitr, MD, Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. rungsun@pol.net
Telephone: +66-2-2564265 Fax: +66-2-2527839
Received: October 18, 2006
Revised: November 13, 2006
Accepted: November 20, 2006
Published online: December 21, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To analyze the differences of clinical characteristics of colorectal neoplasm including polyps between the elderly and young Thai patients.

METHODS: Colonoscopy database from December 2000 to October 2004 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 1822 eligible patients who underwent colonoscopy (with a mean age of 56.6 years). Patients were classified into two groups: the older age group (aged ≥ 60 years; n = 989) and the younger age group (aged < 60 years; n = 833). Data were recorded on age, colonoscopic indications, tumor location, colonoscopic findings and their related histological findings.

RESULTS: Colorectal malignancy related lesions were more often found in the older age group (21%) than in the younger age group (12%). Left-sided lesions were detected more commonly than right-sided in both age groups in approximately two-thirds of all cases. Hematochezia showed greater association with left-sided lesions in the elderly. No relationship was found between age and neoplasm staging and severity.

CONCLUSION: The chance of detecting colorectal neoplasm by colonoscopy was higher in the elderly than in the young Thais. However, both groups had the lesions predominantly located in the left side.

Keywords: Colon neoplasm; Colonoscopy; Thais; Elderly