Indications and findings at colonoscopy in Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

Background:Colonoscopy is a safe and effective means of visual inspection of the large bowel from the distal rectum to the caecum. It may be carried out for diagnostic and or therapeutic reasons. There is a paucity of data on this procedure in Nigeria. We, therefore, determined the indications, findings, and diagnostic yield in Nigerians at colonoscopy.Materials and Methods:This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study carried out at the Endoscopy unit of Crescent hospital, Ilorin from January 2010 to May, 2012. The endoscopy register was reviewed, and the biodata, indications and colonoscopic findings were recorded on a pro forma.Results:A total of 103 patients had colonoscopy. Seventy (68.0%) were males while 33 (32.0%) were females. The indications for colonoscopy were rectal bleeding 41 (39.8%), suspected colon cancer 32 (31.1%), chronic constipation and chronic diarrhoea nine each (8.7%), abdominal/anal pain five (4.9%), suspected anorectal cancer and enterocutaneous fistula two each (1.9%), faecal incontinence, occult gastrointestinal bleeding, post-colostomy for Hirschsprung disease one each (1.0%). Endoscopic findings were normal findings 21 (20.4%), diverticulosis 17 (16.5%), polyps 16 (15.5%), haemorrhoids 16 (15.5%), anorectal cancer 13 (12.6%), angiodysplasia 12 (11.7%), colon cancer eight (7.8%), colitis 7 (6.8%), anorectal ulcer 4 (3.9%), anal warts two (1.9%), anal fissure, caecal tumour, faecal impaction and proctitis one each (1.0%). The diagnostic yield was 79.6%.Conclusions:The commonest indication for colonoscopy was rectal bleeding, while the most frequent pathology was diverticulosis. The diagnostic yield was high.

Pioneering Video Colonoscopy In Calabar, South-South, Nigeria: A Six-Month Prospective Study.

“…All these point to the low utilization of colonoscopy in Nigeria as documented in the literature. [1][2][3]5 . The diagnostic yield of colonoscopy in our study was 85%.…”

“…Colorectal cancer continues to be a burden worldwide , with increasing incidence in different parts of the world 3,5,6,8,9 . Onyekwere et al 12 cited a recent study in Ibadan ,South West, Nigeria, with an 81% increase in the incidence of colorectal carcinoma over a period of two decades 12 .Screening colonoscopy especially where fecal occult blood is positive is an important diagnostic tool that can reverse the current trend of late presentation of patients with colorectal carcinoma [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]10 .…”

“…Colonoscopy is the only major advancement in the diagnosis of colonic disease since the performance of the first barium enema in 1905 4. There are several indications for colonoscopy ranging from lower GI bleeding, change in bowel habit, suspected colorectal cancer, anaemia of unknown origin etc. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] . The aim of this study was to determine the indications, demographic characteristics and endoscopic findings of patients undergoing colonoscopy in the only private endoscopy facility offering this service in Calabar ,South-South, Nigeria.…”

“…It is the gold standard for the diagnosis of large bowel diseases because it is possible to visualize the entire large bowel up to the caecum with good bowel preparation, appropriate expertize and facility [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] . Colonoscopy is the only major advancement in the diagnosis of colonic disease since the performance of the first barium enema in 1905 4. There are several indications for colonoscopy ranging from lower GI bleeding, change in bowel habit, suspected colorectal cancer, anaemia of unknown origin etc.…”

“…With appropriate expertize, good bowel preparation and patient comfort, colonoscopy is a safe procedure with very high yield [1][2][3][4] . Although colonoscopy is the gold standard for making the diagnosis of colorectal cancer, it is however, highly underutilized in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa 3,5,6 owing largely to it's poor availability, high cost and lack of appropriate expertize.…”