Coexistence between colorectal cancer/adenoma and coronary artery disease: results from 1382 patients.
BACKGROUND
Common risk factors exist in colorectal neoplasia (cancer or adenoma) and coronary artery disease.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate in a retrospective study if there is coexistence of the two events in patients > OR =50 years.


METHODS
Computer data on colonoscopies performed on symptomatic patients, the corresponding medical record and colonic histology in 1997-2000 were retrieved. History of coronary artery disease was recorded. To adjust for the factors of age and sex, bivariate logistic regression analysis was used to test for coexistence.


RESULTS
1382 patients were recruited. Colorectal neoplasia and history of coronary artery disease were present in 27% (373) and 12% (167) of patients, respectively. The mean age of patients was older in colorectal neoplasia+ (75 +/- 11 vs. 69 +/- 13 years, P < 0.0001) and in coronary artery disease+ (79 +/- 9 vs. 69 +/- 12 years, P < 0.0001) patients. Male was the predominant sex in colorectal neoplasia+: 33% vs. 22% (P < 0.0001), but not in coronary artery disease+ (P = 0.29). Colorectal neoplasia+ patients were more likely to have coronary artery disease+ [21.2% (79/373) vs. 8.8% (89/1098) (P < 0.0001)]. Bivariate logistic regression analysis showed strong association between the two events (OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.5, 3.0).


CONCLUSIONS
There is strong coexistence of colorectal neoplasia and coronary artery disease, probably due to exposure to common risk factors.
Chan
A O O
AO
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, The University of Hongkong, Hong Kong, China. aoochan@hku.hk
Lam
K F
KF
Tong
T
T
Siu
D C W
DC
Jim
M H
MH
Hui
W M
WM
Lai
K C
KC
Yuen
M F
MF
Lam
S K
SK
Wong
B C Y
BC
D000236:Adenoma / Q000150:complications*; D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors