Risk factors cannot explain the higher prevalence rates of precancerous colorectal lesions in men.

Background: Prevalence of (pre)cancerous colorectal lesions are higher in men than in women, although transition rates from advanced lesions to cancer is similar in both sexes. Our aim was to investigate whether the sex-specific difference in incidence of premalignant colorectal lesions might be explained by the impact of risk factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study analysing health check-up examinations and screening colonoscopies performed within a national quality assurance program.

Trends in quality of screening colonoscopy in Austria.

Screening colonoscopy only effectively prevents colorectal cancer if performed with high quality. The aim of this study was to analyze the detection rates of premalignant colorectal lesions in screening colonoscopies performed within a nationwide quality control program for screening colonoscopy in Austria. Data from electronic records of the screening program from its implementation in 2007 until December 2014 were analyzed in order to calculate detection rates for adenomas, advanced adenomas, polyps, and proximal lesions, and rates of cecal intubation, sedation, complications, and adequate bowel preparation.

Sex is a stronger predictor of colorectal adenoma and advanced adenoma than fecal occult blood test.

Due to high costs and limited availability of screening colonoscopy, some screening programs require a positive fecal occult blood test (FOBT) before screening colonoscopy is remunerated. As male sex is a strong predictor of adenoma and advanced adenoma, we evaluated whether a positive FOBT or male sex is a stronger risk factor for adenoma and advanced adenoma. FOBT and screening colonoscopy results from 18.