ABSTRACT
Objectives:
To assess the prevalence of polyps in patients with a family history of colorectal cancer, in comparison to asymptomatic individuals with indication for screening.
Methods:
A prospective study in a group of patients who underwent colonoscopy between 2012 and 2014. Patients were divided into two groups: Group I: no family history of colorectal cancer, and Group II: with a family history in first-degree relatives. Demographic characteristics, findings on colonoscopy, presence, location and histological type of polyps were evaluated, comparing the two groups.
Results:
214 patients were evaluated: 162 in Group I and 52 in Group II. The distribution of patients with polyps was similar in relation to gender: polyps were evidenced in Group I in 33 (20%) female patients vs. 10 (6%) male patients (p = 1.00); in Group II, the presence of polyps was evidenced in 9 (17%) female patients vs. 2 (4%) male patients (p = 1.00). Polypoid lesions were found in 54 patients (25%), with 43 (26%) in Group I and 11 (21%) in Group II. The prevalence of adenomas was similar in both groups (Group I = 18/37% vs. Group II = 10/50%) (p = 0.83).
Conclusion:
In this preliminary study, no correlation was found between prevalence of polyps and a family history of colorectal cancer.
Keywords:
Colonoscopy; Polyps; Prevention; Colorectal cancer