BACKGROUND/AIMS: The American Cancer Society recommends that asymptomatic persons aged > or = 50 years undergo sigmoidoscopy every 3-5 years. However, the yield of a second examination 3 years later in persons who are initially negative is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the yield of a second flexible sigmoidoscopy in average-risk persons aged > or = 50 years after an initial negative examination. METHODS: Two hundred fifty-nine asymptomatic, average-risk persons who had undergone a negative screening flexible sigmoidoscopy examination at age > or = 50 years underwent a second examination at least 2 years later (mean, 3.4 years). RESULTS: The second examination found adenomas in 15 (6%) screenees, but no cancers or large (> 1 cm) or severely dysplastic adenomas were detected. Persons aged > or = 60 years at the time of the second examination were more likely (10%) to have adenomas than those < 60 years (3%) (odds ratio, 3.76; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-12.2), but no advanced lesions were found in persons aged > or = 60 years. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the American Cancer Society should consider changing its recommendation for screening flexible sigmoidoscopy in asymptomatic, average-risk persons to 5-year intervals after a negative examination.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The American Cancer Society recommends that asymptomatic persons aged > or = 50 years undergo sigmoidoscopy every 3-5 years. However, the yield of a second examination 3 years later in persons who are initially negative is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the yield of a second flexible sigmoidoscopy in average-risk persons aged > or = 50 years after an initial negative examination. METHODS: Two hundred fifty-nine asymptomatic, average-risk persons who had undergone a negative screening flexible sigmoidoscopy examination at age > or = 50 years underwent a second examination at least 2 years later (mean, 3.4 years). RESULTS: The second examination found adenomas in 15 (6%) screenees, but no cancers or large (> 1 cm) or severely dysplastic adenomas were detected. Persons aged > or = 60 years at the time of the second examination were more likely (10%) to have adenomas than those < 60 years (3%) (odds ratio, 3.76; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-12.2), but no advanced lesions were found in persons aged > or = 60 years. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the American Cancer Society should consider changing its recommendation for screening flexible sigmoidoscopy in asymptomatic, average-risk persons to 5-year intervals after a negative examination.
Authors: Adeyinka O Laiyemo; Chyke Doubeni; Paul F Pinsky; V Paul Doria-Rose; Robert Bresalier; Thomas Hickey; Thomas Riley; Tim R Church; Joel Weissfeld; Robert E Schoen; Pamela M Marcus; Philip C Prorok Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2015-04-03 Impact factor: 5.128
Authors: Sandeep Vijan; Inku Hwang; John Inadomi; Roy K H Wong; J Richard Choi; John Napierkowski; Jonathan M Koff; Perry J Pickhardt Journal: Am J Gastroenterol Date: 2006-12-11 Impact factor: 10.864