Colonoscopy

This study suggests that surveillance colonoscopies for patients over 75 with a prior adenomatous polyp are unlikely to improve life expectancy especially if pretest life expectancy is less than 10 years.

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Importance
Postpolypectomy surveillance is a common colonoscopy indication in older adults; however, guidelines provide little direction on when to stop surveillance in this population.

Objective
To estimate surveillance colonoscopy yields in older adults.

Design, Setting, and Participants
This population-based cross-sectional study included individuals 70 to 85 years of age who received surveillance colonoscopy at a large, community-based US health care system between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019; had an adenoma detected 12 or more months previously; and had at least 1 year of health plan enrollment before surveillance. Individuals were excluded due to prior colorectal cancer (CRC), hereditary CRC syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, or prior colectomy or if the surveillance colonoscopy had an inadequate bowel preparation or was incomplete. Data were analyzed from September 1, 2022, to February 22, 2024.

Exposures
Age (70-74, 75-79, or 80-85 years) at surveillance colonoscopy and prior adenoma finding (ie, advanced adenoma vs nonadvanced adenoma).

Main Outcomes and Measures
The main outcomes were yields of CRC, advanced adenoma, and advanced neoplasia overall (all ages) by age group and by both age group and prior adenoma finding. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with advanced neoplasia detection at surveillance.

Results
Of 9740 surveillance colonoscopies among 9601 patients, 5895 (60.5%) were in men, and 5738 (58.9%), 3225 (33.1%), and 777 (8.0%) were performed in those aged 70-74, 75-79, and 80-85 years, respectively. Overall, CRC yields were found in 28 procedures (0.3%), advanced adenoma in 1141 (11.7%), and advanced neoplasia in 1169 (12.0%); yields did not differ significantly across age groups. Overall, CRC yields were higher for colonoscopies among patients with a prior advanced adenoma vs nonadvanced adenoma (12 of 2305 [0.5%] vs 16 of 7435 [0.2%]; P = .02), and the same was observed for advanced neoplasia (380 of 2305 [16.5%] vs 789 of 7435 [10.6%]; P < .001). Factors associated with advanced neoplasia at surveillance were prior advanced adenoma (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.65; 95% CI, 1.44-1.88), body mass index of 30 or greater vs less than 25 (AOR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.03-1.44), and having ever smoked tobacco (AOR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.01-1.30). Asian or Pacific Islander race was inversely associated with advanced neoplasia (AOR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.67-0.99).

Conclusions and Relevance
In this cross-sectional study of surveillance colonoscopy yield in older adults, CRC detection was rare regardless of prior adenoma finding, whereas the advanced neoplasia yield was 12.0% overall. Yields were higher among those with a prior advanced adenoma than among those with prior nonadvanced adenoma and did not increase significantly with age. These findings can help inform whether to continue surveillance colonoscopy in older adults.

Author/s:

Lee, JK, Roy, A., Jensen, C.D., Chan, J.T., Zhao, W.K.

What Is Ulcerative Colitis?

Erin Blanchette — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 16:55:58 +0000

Date Added:

February 12, 2024

Journal/Publication:

JAMA

Publisher:

American Medical Association

Publication Date:

February 2, 2024

Issue:

Volume:

330

Pages:

951-965

URL:

What Is Ulcerative Colitis?

Type:

Patient Education Materials

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1001/jama.2023.23814

Keywords

ulcerative colitis

Diarrhea

Gastroenterology

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

PMID (1):

38306113

MeSH

Information for patients about ulcerative colitis. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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This JAMA Patient Page describes the condition of ulcerative colitis and its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.

Author/s:

Rebecca Voelker

Patient-Reported Needs Following a Referral for Colorectal Cancer Screening

Brian Desmarais — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 13:30:42 +0000

Date Added:

September 29, 2020

Journal/Publication:

American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Publication Date:

February 1, 2019

URL:

Patient-Reported Needs Following a Referral for Colorectal Cancer Screening

Type:

Clinical Research Results

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1016/j.amepre.2018.08.017. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

MeSH

decision support techniques

early detection of cancer

Physician-Patient Relations

patient acceptance of healthcare

Patients referred for colonoscopy have lots of questions that are not always being answered by primary care clinicians. Many would appreciate being able to access additional information through the the practice’s portal. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Abstract

Introduction: Patient-physician communication about colorectal cancer screening can affect screening use, but discussions often lack information that patients need for informed decision making and seldom address personal preferences or barriers. To address this gap, a series of patient focus groups was conducted to guide the development of an online, interactive decision support program. This article presents findings on patient information needs and barriers to colorectal cancer screening after receiving a screening recommendation from a physician, and their perspectives on using electronic patient portals as platforms for health-related decision support.

Methods: Primary care patients with recent colonoscopy or stool testing orders were identified via the centralized data repository of a large Midwestern health system. Seven gender-stratified focus groups (N=45 participants) were convened between April and July 2016. Sessions were audio recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed for commonly expressed themes beginning in August 2016.

Results: Findings reveal a consistent need for simple and clear information on colorectal cancer screening. Participants desired step-by-step explanations of the colonoscopy procedure and information about bowel preparation options/alternatives. The desired level of additional information varied: some patients wanted to know about and act on test options, whereas others preferred following their physician-recommended testing path. Fears and concerns were prevalent, particularly about colonoscopy, and patients reported challenges getting these concerns and their informational needs addressed. Finally, they expressed consistent support for using the patient portal to gather additional information from their physician.

Conclusions: Patient portals may offer an opportunity to build sustainable programs for decision support and assistance that are integrated with clinic workflows and processes.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02798224.

Author/s:

Dyer, Karen E., Shires, Deirdre A.

Association Between Age and Complications After Outpatient Colonoscopy

Brian Desmarais — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 16:48:40 +0000

Date Added:

June 29, 2020

Journal/Publication:

JAMA network open

Publisher:

Journal of American Medical Association

Publication Date:

June 1, 2020

URL:

Association Between Age and Complications After Outpatient Colonoscopy

Type:

Clinical Research Results

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.8958

MeSH

renal insufficiency, chronic

hospitalization

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

early detection of cancer

risk factors

cohort studies

incidence

retrospective studies

The risk of major complications of colonoscopy is greater for liver disease (odds ratio [OR], 4.7; 95% CI, 3.5-6.5) smokers (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 2.4-4.3), patients who are obese (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.2-4.2), and patients who are over 75 years of age (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 2.0-2.6). James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Abstract

Importance: There are insufficient data describing the incidence and risk factors of postcolonoscopy complications in older individuals.

Objective: To assess the association between older age (≥75 years) and the risk of postcolonoscopy complications.

Design, setting, and participants: This population-based retrospective cohort study included adults (≥50 years) undergoing outpatient colonoscopy between April 2008 and September 2017, identified from Ontario administrative databases. Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease and hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes were excluded. The study population was subdivided into a colorectal cancer screening-eligible cohort (patients aged 50-74 years) and an older cohort (patients aged ≥75 years). The statistical analysis was conducted from December 2018 to September 2019.

Exposures: Older age (≥75 years).

Main outcomes and measures: The primary outcome was postcolonoscopy complications, defined as the composite of hospitalization or emergency department visits in the 30-day period after the outpatient colonoscopy. Secondary outcomes included incidence of surgically treated colorectal cancer and all-cause mortality at 30 days. Independent variables associated with postcolonoscopy complications were also assessed.

Results: The study sample included 38 069 patients; the mean (SD) age was 65.2 (10.1) years, there were 19 037 women (50.0%), and 27 831 patients (73.1%) underwent a first colonoscopy. The cumulative incidence of complications was 3.4% (1310 patients) in the overall population, and it was higher in individuals aged 75 years or older (515 of 7627 patients [6.8%]) than in screening-eligible cohort (795 of 30 443 patients [2.6%]) (P < .001). Independent risk factors for postcolonoscopy complications were age 75 years or older (odds ratio [OR], 2.3; 95% CI, 2.0-2.6), anemia (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2-1.7), cardiac arrhythmia (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2-2.2), congestive heart failure (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 2.5-4.6), hypertension (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.0-1.5), chronic kidney disease (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-3.0), liver disease (OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 3.5-6.5), smoking history (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 2.4-4.3), and obesity (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.2-4.2). The number of previous colonoscopies was associated with a lower risk of complications (OR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.7-1.0). The incidence of surgically treated colorectal cancer was higher in the older cohort than the screening-eligible cohort (119 patients [1.6%] vs 144 patients [0.5%]; P < .001). All-cause mortality rates were 0.1% overall (39 patients) and 0.1% (19 patients) for individuals aged 50 to 74 years and 0.2% (20 patients) for those aged 75 years and older (P < .001).

Conclusions and relevance: In this population-based cohort study of individuals living in southern Ontario, age of 75 years and older was associated with a higher risk of 30-day postprocedure complications after outpatient colonoscopy. These findings suggest that the decision to perform a colonoscopy should be carefully considered in patients older than 75 years, especially in the presence of comorbidities. Further studies are needed to better understand the benefits of invasive procedures as opposed to less invasive approaches for colorectal cancer screening and surveillance among older patients.

Author/s:

Causada-Calo, N., Bishay, K., Albashir, S., Mazroui, A.A., Armstrong, D.

Screening for Colon Cancer in Older Adults: Risks, Benefits, and When to Stop

Brian Desmarais — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 19:11:46 +0000

Date Added:

January 3, 2020

Journal/Publication:

The Mayo Clinic Proceedings

Publication Date:

January 1, 2020

Issue:

Volume:

Pages:

184–196

URL:

Screening for Colon Cancer in Older Adults: Risks, Benefits, and When to Stop

Type:

Meta-analyses, Reviews, and Guidelines

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2019.02.021

Keywords

MeSH

A fair and balanced review of CRC screening in older people from Mayo. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer and second leading cause of mortality from cancer in the United States. As the population ages, decisions regarding the initiation and cessation of screening and surveillance for CRC are of increasing importance. In elderly patients, the risks of CRC and the presenting signs and symptoms are similar to those in younger patients. Screening and ongoing surveillance should be considered in patients who have a life expectancy of 10 years or more. Life expectancy estimates can be calculated using online calculators. If screening is deemed appropriate, the choice of which test to use first is unclear. Currently, there are a number of modalities available to screen for CRC, including both invasive modalities (eg, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, capsule colonoscopy, and computed tomographic colonography) and noninvasive modalities (fecal immunochemical test, stool DNA testing, and blood testing). Colonoscopy and other invasive testing options are considered safe, but the risks of complications of the bowel preparation, the procedure, and sedation medications are all increased in older patients. In contrast, noninvasive testing provides a safe initial test; however, it is important to consider the increased false-positive rates in the elderly, and a positive test result will usually necessitate colonoscopy to establish the diagnosis. Ongoing screening and surveillance should be a shared decision-making process with the patient based on multiple factors including the patient’s morbidity and mortality risk from CRC and his or her underlying comorbidities, the patient’s functional status, and the patient’s preferences for screening. Ultimately, the decision to initiate or discontinue screening for CRC in older patients should be done based on a case-by-case individualized discussion.

Author/s:

Nee, J., Chippendale, R. Z., Feuerstein, J.D.

Screening for Colorectal Cancer in Asymptomatic Average-Risk Adults: A Guidance Statement From the American College of Physicians

Brian Desmarais — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 15:39:51 +0000

Date Added:

November 7, 2019

Journal/Publication:

Annals of Internal Medicine

Publication Date:

November 5, 2019

Issue:

Volume:

171

Pages:

643-654

URL:

Screening for Colorectal Cancer in Asymptomatic Average-Risk Adults: A Guidance Statement From the American College of Physicians

Type:

Meta-analyses, Reviews, and Guidelines

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.7326/M19-0642

Keywords

Colonoscopy

Early Detection of Cancer

MeSH

early detection of cancer

2019 CRC screening guideline for average risk adults. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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DESCRIPTION:

The purpose of this guidance statement is to guide clinicians on colorectal cancer screening in average-risk adults.

METHODS:

This guidance statement is derived from a critical appraisal of guidelines on screening for colorectal cancer in average-risk adults and the evidence presented in these guidelines. National guidelines published in English between 1 June 2014 and 28 May 2018 in the National Guideline Clearinghouse or Guidelines International Network library were included. The authors also included 3 guidelines commonly used in clinical practice. Web sites were searched for guideline updates in December 2018. The AGREE II (Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II) instrument was used to evaluate the quality of guidelines.

TARGET AUDIENCE AND PATIENT POPULATION:

The target audience is all clinicians, and the target patient population is adults at average risk for colorectal cancer.

GUIDANCE STATEMENT 1:

Clinicians should screen for colorectal cancer in average-risk adults between the ages of 50 and 75 years.

GUIDANCE STATEMENT 2:

Clinicians should select the colorectal cancer screening test with the patient on the basis of a discussion of benefits, harms, costs, availability, frequency, and patient preferences. Suggested screening tests and intervals are fecal immunochemical testing or high-sensitivity guaiac-based fecal occult blood testing every 2 years, colonoscopy every 10 years, or flexible sigmoidoscopy every 10 years plus fecal immunochemical testing every 2 years.

GUIDANCE STATEMENT 3:

Clinicians should discontinue screening for colorectal cancer in average-risk adults older than 75 years or in adults with a life expectancy of 10 years or less.

Author/s:

Qaseem, A., Crandall, C.J., Mustafa, R.A., Hicks, L.A., Wilt, T.J., Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians