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World J Gastroenterol. Jul 28, 2007; 13(28): 3873-3877
Published online Jul 28, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i28.3873
Increasing prevalence of advanced colonic polyps in young patients undergoing colonoscopy in a referral academic hospital in Hong Kong
Tze Jui Lam, Benjamin CY Wong, Chris JJ Mulder, A Salvador Peña, Wai Mo Hui, Shiu Kum Lam, Annie On On Chan
Tze Jui Lam, Chris JJ Mulder, A Salvador Peña, Department of Gastroenterology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
A Salvador Peña, Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Benjamin CY Wong, Wai Mo Hui, Shiu Kum Lam, Annie On On Chan, Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Annie On On Chan, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Director, Endoscopy Unit, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China. aoochan@hkucc.hku.hk
Telephone: +85-2-28555414 Fax: +85-2-28555411
Received: February 8, 2007
Revised: February 28, 2007
Accepted: March 28, 2007
Published online: July 28, 2007
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the distribution and frequency of advanced polyps over eight years.

METHODS: 6424 colonoscopies were reviewed during the study period 1998 to 2005. The study period was subdivided into period I: 1998 to 2001 and period II: 2002-2005.

RESULTS: 1856 polyps (33% advanced polyps) and 328 CRCs were detected. The mean ages of the patients with advanced polyps and cancer were 69.2 ± 12.0 and 71.6 ± 13.8 years, respectively. Advanced polyps were mainly left sided (59.5%). Advanced polyps were found in patients ≤ 60 years from 17.7% in periodI to 26.3% in period II (P < 0.05), especially in male subjects ≤ 60 years (21.6% vs 31.6%, P < 0.05). Advanced tubulovillous polyps rose from 21.5% in period I to 29.5% in period II (P < 0.05). Whereas cancers in male patients ≤ 60 years were similar in both periods: 23.2% vs 16.5% (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Advanced polyps increased significantly in the younger male group in the most recent period and there seems to be a shift towards a proximal location.

Keywords: Colonic polyps, Colonoscopy, Chinese