Diabetes Mellitus and the Risk of Colorectal Adenoma

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with an increased incidence of colon cancer. However, the relationship between DM and colorectal adenoma is not definite. In this study, we sought to determine the association between DM and the prevalence of colorectal adenoma. METHODS: We enrolled 606 patients with DM and 606 asymptomatic adults who underwent colonoscopy for routine health evaluations from June 2003 to June 2007. The frequency and characteristics of the colorectal adenomas were analyzed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The sex ratio and mean age were 1.67:1 (M:F) and 58.1+/-10.6 years, respectively, in patients with DM, and 1.68:1 and 57.6+/-8.9 years, respectively, in patients without DM, and these values were similar. The frequency of colorectal adenoma was 33.2% for the patients with DM and 32.3% for the patients without DM. The frequency, location, number, size and histopathologic findings of the colorectal adenomas were not different between the two groups. Among the patients with DM, the frequency of colorectal adenoma was 35.7% in the patients treated with oral hypoglycemic agents and 31.4% in the patients treated with insulin. Also, the other characteristics of the colorectal adenomas were not different according to the treatment method. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency and characteristics of colorectal adenomas were not different between the patients with and without DM.