Tag Archives: colonoscopy

Smoking and the Risk of Colorectal Cancer and Colorectal Polyps

Purpose: Tobacco is one of the risk factors in colon cancer and colon polyps. We have studied the connection between smoking and the risk of developing the colorectal cancer and colorectal polyps.
Materials and methods: Our study refers to patients with mucosal modifications at the colon level, hospitalized and colonoscopy investigated in the 1st Clinic of Gastroenterology, Tg Mures between 2008–2010.
Results: There were 193 patients with colorectal cancer and colorectal polyps compared with 206 control patients investigated in the same hospital. From the study group, 53 patients (27.46%) were ‘current smokers’ compared with ‘control patients’ 27 patients (13.10%). As a result of this comparison there was a significant association with an increased risk for colorectal cancer and colorectal polyps (OR = 2.77, CI: 1.64–4.67). It was also observed a significant increased tendency of the risk for the colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer in parallel with the increase of the number of smoked cigarettes per day and years of cigarette smoking (< 10 cigarettes/day – OR = 1.03, CI: 0.45–2.33; 10-20 cigarettes/day – OR = 4.47, CI: 1.73–10.55; > 20 cigarettes/day – OR = 5.41, CI: 2.13–13.72 and < 10 years of cigarette smoking OR = 1.41, CI: 0.63–3.16; 10–20 years of cigarette smoking OR = 3.63, CI: 1.46-8.98; > 20 years of cigarette smoking OR = 4.43, CI: 1.83–10.74).
Conclusions: A high exposure to cigarette smoking is strongly associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer and colorectal polyps.

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Alcohol Consumption and the Risk of Developing Colorectal Cancer and Colorectal Polyps

Purpose: Among other risk factors in the developing of colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer, alcohol consumption represents a real risk factor. We have studied the association between alcohol consumption and the risk of developing colorectal cancer and colorectal polyps.
Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective study reviewing the medical records of all consecutive patients hospitalized with mucosal modifications at the colon level, investigated by colonoscopy in the 1st Clinic of Gastroenterology of Tîrgu Mureș between 2008 and 2011.
Results: We analyzed 324 patients with colorectal cancer and colorectal polyps, compared with 352 control patients investigated in our medical institution. We had 87 patients with colorectal cancer, out of which 1 patient was an ex-drinker, 31 were occasional drinkers and 17 regular drinkers. We found a strong positive association between alcohol consumption and the risk of colorectal cancer: ex drinkers – statistically insignificant; occasional drinkers – OR = 4.04, CI: 2.31–7.06; regular drinkers – OR = 5.45, CI: 2.65–11.18. Concerning the 237 patients with colorectal polyps we obtained similar results: 5 ex-drinkers – statistically insignificant; 76 occasional drinkers – OR = 3.46, CI: 2.28–5.23; 47 regular drinkers – OR = 5.25, CI: 3.05–9.13.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that alcohol consumption elevates the risk of colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer.

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Is NAFLD a Risk Factor for Colorectal Polyps? An Analysis of Single Romanian Centre

DOI: 10.1515/amma-2015-0065

Background and Aim: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered to be the most common of all liver disorders, and its prevalence is almost certainly increasing. Because of the presence of NAFLD in metabolic syndrome and of latter’s role in the appearance of colorectal polyps, many studies have tried to find a link between the liver disease and colorectal polyps. The aim of the study was to determine whether NAFLD is a risk factor for colorectal polyps.
Material and Methods: We examined 560 patients diagnosed with NAFLD who underwent colonoscopy at Mures County Hospital, between January 2011 and June 2014. Fatty liver disease was assessed by abdominal ultrasound, with NAFLD defined as fatty liver disease in the absence of alcohol use of > 40 g/week or other secondary causes. We divided the 560 patients into two groups, according to the presence or absence of polyps. Data were collected from patient’s history, physical exam, laboratory tests and abdominal ultrasound.
Results: The prevalence of colorectal polyps was 16.6% (93) in the NAFLD patients. 51 (54.8%) of them were female, and the Chi2 test identified a statistically significant association between the female gender and the appearance of polyps (p=0.028; OR=1.652; CI= 1.052-2.596). No statistical association was found between the smoking status and the development of colorectal polyps (p=0.245) and only 18 of 93 patients were smokers. Of 93 patients with polyps, 68 (73.1%) have associated diabetes mellitus, but without statistical correlation (p=0.214). According to family history of colorectal polyps none of the patients have data about a possible polyposis pathology.
Conclusions: Our study demonstrates a relationship between some characteristics of NAFLD and the development of colorectal polyps. Further studies are required to confirm whether NAFLD is a risk factor for the appearance of polyps.

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