Prevalence of polyps found during sigmoidoscopy by family physician

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sigmoidoscopy reduce colorectal cancer mortality by identifying both cancer and adenomatous polyp for treatment. However, this screening technique, sigmoidoscopy is extremely limited to family physician. We performed sigmoidoscopy and attemped to analyze colon polyps. METHODS: The authors performed rectosigmoidoscopy from January 2000 to January 2001 at ulsan university hospital health promotion center. We reviewed and analyzed all subjects at which time all polyps were biopsied. RESULTS: In total, 1107 case sigmidoscopy examination were performed without complication. Polyps were found in 11.5%. 44.5% were neoplastic adenoma and 33.6% were hyperplastic polyps. Cancer was detected in 2 subjects. All case of neoplastic polyps were refered to colonoscopist. The difference of polyp incidence rate was significant in age and sex group. (p<0.01) CONCLUSION: The prevalence of colon polyps was 11.5%. This data is simillar to colonoscopist's data. These results suggest that screening sigmoidoscopy can be performed usefully by family physicians.