title: A normal initial colonoscopy after age 50 does not predict a polyp-free status for life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The prevalence of colon polyps increases with age in the general population. It is unknown whether a lack of adenomatous polyps determined at one time point after the age of 50 is predictive of a subsequent low risk of polyp development.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-nine patients between ages 50 and 70 who had no prior history of polyps and had a normal colonoscopy at least 5 yr previously were recruited for follow-up colonoscopy to evaluate the incidence of neoplastic disease in this presumably low-risk group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of adenomatous polyps after a mean of 5.74 yr was 41.4% (95% confidence interval: 23.5-61.1%). A total of 20 adenomatous polyps were found in 12 patients. Seven polyps were 5 mm or more in size.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that in patients with no history of colonic neoplasia who are 50 yr old, or older, the finding of a normal colonoscopy does not predict diminished risk of neoplasia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Phoenix DVAMC, Arizona.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Squillace
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Berggreen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jaffe
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Fennerty
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hixson
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Garewal
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Sampliner
mesh_terms: D018256:Adenomatous Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003113:Colonoscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors