title: [Prevalence of rectosigmoid adenomas and adenocarcinomas in patients younger than 50 years old referred for proctorrhagia].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rectal bleeding is a sign of colorectal cancer (CRC). Its early diagnosis decreases mortality and improves survival. In young population with no risk factors for the disease, CRC is infrequent. Moreover, benign anorectal disorders are most frequent causes of bleeding and generally, when anal pathology is identified, it is assumed as the origin of the sign. For all these reasons, rectal bleeding sometimes is sub-assessed in young patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Estimate the prevalence of adenomas and adenocarcinomas in sigmoid and rectum in patients younger than 50 years old referred for proctorrhagia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study design was descriptive, retrospective and cross-sectional. Procedures were performed under sedation and Olympus CF 160 y CF 180 scopes were used. Proctorrhagia was considered as rectal bleeding registered as indication of the procedure. Histology was established according to Vienna classification. Informed consent was signed before the procedures. Colonoscopy reports were reviewed. The study took place in an outpatient clinic in Buenos Aires city, between October 2010 and October 2011. High risk patients for CRC were excluded
  
  
  RESULTS
  We included 1,203 from 1,257 reviewed VCC, 49% were female and the median age was 38 years old (range: 18-49 years old). The prevalence of adenomas and adenocarcinomas in sigmoid and rectum was 67% [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 5.4-8.3] and 1.6% (95% CI 1-2.5), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adenocarcinomas and adenomas are infrequent in a young population without risk factors for CRC. However, even when benign anal disorders are the most frequent cause for rectal bleeding, miss evaluation of this sign could have a serious impact in almost 10 of 100 individuals.
authors: Gastroenterología Diagnóstica y Terapéutica (GEDyT), Ciudad autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina. leandromanzotti@gmail.com
authors: Leandro Nicolas
authors: LN
authors: Manzotti
authors: Gastroenterología Diagnóstica y Terapéutica (GEDyT), Ciudad autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Maria Carolina
authors: MC
authors: Bolino
authors: Gastroenterología Diagnóstica y Terapéutica (GEDyT), Ciudad autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Maribel
authors: M
authors: Braner
authors: Gastroenterología Diagnóstica y Terapéutica (GEDyT), Ciudad autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Cecilio
authors: C
authors: Cerisoli
authors: Gastroenterología Diagnóstica y Terapéutica (GEDyT), Ciudad autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Luis Ernesto
authors: LE
authors: Caro
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003113:Colonoscopy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012811:Sigmoid Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult