Evaluating the necessity of colonoscopy in patients under 40 with rectal bleeding: insights from a large-scale retrospective analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Bleeding per rectum (BPR) is a common clinical presentation, and colonoscopy is the gold standard for evaluating patients aged ≥ 45 years. However, its role in younger patients remains unclear. This study evaluated the appropriateness of colonoscopy in patients < 40 years of age who presented with BPR.

Methods

This retrospective observational study was conducted over 10 years, including 3422 patients aged 18-40 years who underwent colonoscopy for BPR. The cohort was divided into two age groups: younger (aged 18-30 years) and older (31-40 years). The patients' baseline characteristics, colonoscopy findings, and histopathological results were analyzed.

Results

Hemorrhoids were the most common finding (48%), with a higher prevalence in younger age groups (50.7%).

SUBMITTER: Obeidat IM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11649774 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature