Screening colonoscopy among elderly patients over 70 years

Czech version

Authors: I. Mikoviny Kajzrlíková ¹; P. Vítek ^1,2; J. Chalupa ¹; J. Kuchař ¹; J. Platoš ¹; P. Řeha ¹
Authors‘ workplace: Beskydské Gastrocentrum, Interní oddělení, Nemocnice ve Frýdku-Místku p. o. ¹; LF OU v Ostravě ²
Published in: Gastroent Hepatol 2015; 69(5): 437-440
Category: Digestive Endoscopy: Original Article
doi: https://doi.org/10.14735/amgh2015437

Overview

The recommended age for a first colonoscopy screening in an average risk population is 50–55 years, but there is no upper limit. Although the prevalence of neoplastic lesions increases with age, the life expectancy decreases, which also reduces the efficiency of screening. The aim of our study was to evaluate the outcomes of screening colonoscopies in a population of over 70 years of age and compare them with those obtained in younger patients.

Methods:
The outcomes of colonoscopy examinations in a population aged 70 years and over vs. the outcomes obtained in patients under 70 years were compared using the chi-square test.

Results:
In total, 1,240 screening colonoscopies were performed, 239 in the group aged 70 years and over, and 1,001 in the group under 70 years. The polyp detection rate and adenoma detection rate were comparable in both groups. There were significantly more advanced neoplasms and carcinomas in the older group and the caecal intubation rate was lower. There were no complications in either group.

Conclusions:
Screening colonoscopy in a population of over 70 years of age in our study was safe, with a higher detection of advanced neoplasms, but with a lower completion rate.

Key words:
colonoscopy – mass screening – aged – complications – neoplasms

The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study.

The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE „uniform requirements“ for biomedical papers.

Submitted:
25. 8. 2015

Accepted:
28. 9. 2015

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