Increasing prevalence of advanced colonic polyps in young patients undergoing colonoscopy in a referral academic hospital in Hong Kong

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 period I 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. (c) 2007 WJG. All rights reserved.