title: Prevalence and characteristics of serrated lesions of the colorectum in Italy: A multicentre prospective cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Serrated lesions are recognized as important contributors to colorectal cancer incidence. We aimed to prospectively assess the prevalence of serrated lesions and identify potential predictors of these lesions during colonoscopy in an Italian population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cross sectional study involving 8 endoscopy units from February 1st to July 31st 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 2468 colonoscopies, 886 precancerous lesions were detected in 567 patients. Of these, 173 SELs were diagnosed in 148 patients (140 serrated/hyperplastic polyps and 33 serrated adenomas). Prevalence was 7% (173/2468). Serrated lesions accounted for 19.5% of all precancerous lesions. Serrated polyps were prevalent in the left colon (42.1%) and serrated adenomas in the proximal colon (54.5%). Independent clinical predictors of serrated lesions were patient age (OR 0.98 [0.97-1.00]) and post-polypectomy surveillance (OR 1.87 [1.24-2.82]). Endoscopic predictors were right colon location (OR 2.65 [1.63-4.30] vs. rectum; and 1.53 [1.03-2.26] vs. left colon), polypoid shape (OR 0.41 [027-0.64]) and size <6 mm (OR 0.49 [0.33-0.72] vs. 6-10 mm; and 0.14 [0.07-0.28] vs. >10 mm). There was no independent predictor of serrated adenoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our Italian study population, the prevalence of colorectal serrated lesions was 7%. Their diagnosis is associated with younger age and surveillance colonoscopy, right-sided colorectal location, non-polypoid shape and size <6 mm.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Hospital Maresca, ASLNA3sud, Torre del Greco, Italy. Electronic address: gianluca.rotondano@virgilio.it.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rotondano
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Hospital Maresca, ASLNA3sud, Torre del Greco, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Antonia
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bianco
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, AORN Cardarelli Hospital, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Livio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cipolletta
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Unit, Hospital Curto, ASL SAPolla, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marmo
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007417:Intestinal Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Colonoscopy; Prevalence; Risk factors; Serrated adenoma; Serrated polyp