Increased risk of adenomas in individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer: results of a meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
It is unclear to what extent the increased risk of colorectal cancer in individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer and no known genetic disorders is associated with a higher adenoma prevalence. Our aim is to estimate the relative difference in adenoma prevalence and its age-pattern in individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer compared to those without.


METHODS
We performed a literature search to identify colonoscopy studies reporting the adenoma prevalence by age. Using multilevel logistic regression, we examined how the adenoma prevalence by age differed between individuals with and without a family history of colorectal cancer. We excluded members of families with a known genetic disorder.


RESULTS
Thirteen colonoscopy studies were identified. The adenoma prevalence was significantly higher in individuals with a family history than in those without (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.4-3.5). The adenoma prevalence increased with age (OR per year of age 1.06, 95% CI 1.05-1.07). The age trend did not differ significantly between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer have a considerably higher prevalence of adenomas compared to individuals without a family history. This is consistent with their increased risk of colorectal cancer.
Wilschut
Janneke A
JA
Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. j.wilschut@erasmusmc.nl
Habbema
J Dik F
JD
Ramsey
Scott D
SD
Boer
Rob
R
Looman
Caspar W N
CW
van Ballegooijen
Marjolein
M
D000236:Adenoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000453:epidemiology; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors