Body mass index: a marker for significant colorectal neoplasia in a screening population.
OBJECTIVE
Although some studies suggest a positive association between increasing body mass index (BMI) and risk for colorectal neoplasia, the impact on screening has not been examined. We performed a cross-sectional study to examine the association of BMI and colorectal neoplasia in a screening population.


METHODS
Data collected for 2493 patients presenting for screening colonoscopy included known risk factors for colorectal neoplasia, demographic information, and lifestyle factors. Our outcome was the endoscopic detection of significant colorectal neoplasia which included adenocarcinoma, high-grade dysplasia, villous tissue, adenomas 1 cm or greater and multiple (>2) adenomas of any size.


RESULTS
Overall, we observed an increased risk and prevalence for significant colorectal neoplasia in women as BMI increased (P value for trend <0.002). This relationship was the strongest for the women with a BMI > or =40 (odds ratios=4.26; 95% confidence intervals=2.00-9.11). There was no such relationship in our male population.


CONCLUSIONS
Increasing BMI, in our population, was associated with an increase risk for colorectal neoplasia in female patients. This study reinforces the importance of screening colonoscopy especially in obese women.
Anderson
Joseph C
JC
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA. jcanderson@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
Messina
Catherine R
CR
Dakhllalah
Fouad
F
Abraham
Biju
B
Alpern
Zvi
Z
Martin
Carol
C
Hubbard
Patricia M
PM
Grimson
Roger
R
Shaw
Robert D
RD
D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
D015415:Biomarkers