Variable detection of nonadenomatous polyps by individual endoscopists at colonoscopy and correlation with adenoma detection.
BACKGROUND
There is variation between endoscopists in their detection of colorectal adenomas. There is less understanding of variation between endoscopists in detection and management of nonadenomas.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the removal rates of nonadenomas, variability between endoscopists, and the association of adenoma removal with nonadenoma removal.


METHODS
Consecutive colonoscopy reports by 9 gastroenterologists at Indiana University Hospital between January 1999 and January 2004 were obtained. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease, polyp syndromes, or who were referred for polypectomy were excluded.


RESULTS
There were 10,034 included colonoscopies. The prevalence of nonadenomatous polyps increased from 26.6% at age 30 years to 29.3% at age 70 years (P=0.02); this association was much less powerful than that of age with removal of adenomas. The range of finding > or =1 nonadenomatous polyp was 11.8% to 34.9%. The correlation between adenoma detection and nonadenoma removal by individual endoscopists for the full cohort was 0.79 and for persons age > or =50 years was 0.84.


CONCLUSIONS
Detection of nonadenomatous polyps by individual endoscopists at colonoscopy is highly variable and correlates with increased removal rates of adenomatous polyps.
Chen
Shawn C
SC
Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
Rex
Douglas K
DK
D018256:Adenomatous Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002983:Clinical Competence; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D013997:Time Factors