Abbasi J Akhtar1, Jiaying Zhuo. 1. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine. Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA. abakhtar@cdrewu.edu
Abstract
PURPOSE: To determine usefulness of skin tags as a predictor of colonic polyps, in patients of a minority population. SETTING: Inner-city community hospital serving predominantly African Americans and Hispanics. METHODS: Evaluation of 480 consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy. The presence or absence of skin tags was noted, and their correlation with the colonic polyps determined. RESULTS: Colonic polyps were detected in 92 patients (19%). None of these patients had skin tags, whereas skin tags were found in 87 patients (18%), and none of them had colonic polyps. CONCLUSION: The mere presence of acrochordons (skin tags) should not be used as an indication for screening colonoscopy especially in African Americans and Hispanics.
PURPOSE: To determine usefulness of skin tags as a predictor of colonic polyps, in patients of a minority population. SETTING: Inner-city community hospital serving predominantly African Americans and Hispanics. METHODS: Evaluation of 480 consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy. The presence or absence of skin tags was noted, and their correlation with the colonic polyps determined. RESULTS:Colonic polyps were detected in 92 patients (19%). None of these patients had skin tags, whereas skin tags were found in 87 patients (18%), and none of them had colonic polyps. CONCLUSION: The mere presence of acrochordons (skin tags) should not be used as an indication for screening colonoscopy especially in African Americans and Hispanics.