ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: XSome authors have assessed the link between obesity and colon adenoma risk. Moreover, it has been reported that obesity could increase the risk of proximal adenoma development. Accordingly, obese patients may have a distinctive pattern of adenoma recurrence. AIM: To determine whether metachronous adenoma features differ between obese and non-obese subjects submitted to colonoscopy surveillance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively evaluated all patients over 18 years old that underwent surveillance colonoscopy at our institution between June 2013 and June 2014. Date of prior colonoscopy was registered. A body mass index ≥ 30 was used to define obesity. Analysis looking for variables significantly associated with metachronous adenoma was performed. Metachronous adenoma rate was compared between obese and non-obese subjects, as well as size, location, morphological and histopathological characteristics. RESULTS: Overall, 825 subjects were enrolled. Median time of surveillance colonoscopy was 38.9 months. Obesity was statistically more frequent in those subjects with metachronous adenomas (40% vs 25.71%, p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, obesity [OR 1.7 (1.01-2.9)] and age [OR 1.02 (1-1.05)] were independently associated with metachronous adenoma presence. Obesity was also significantly associated with a higher risk of right colon adenomas [OR 2.4 (1.76-3.26)] and advanced adenoma [OR 1.99 (1.29-3.06)]. The risk is significantly higher in men and in those with a family history of colorectal cancer/adenoma. CONCLUSION: Obesity was associated with a higher risk of metachronous adenomas on surveillance colonoscopy. A higher risk of right-sided lesions and advanced adenomas was also found in this population.