Colonoscopic evaluation of middle aged patients with altered bowel habits.

Objective: To determine the frequency of colorectal carcinoma in patients above 40 years of age presenting with altered bowel habits by colonoscopy.

Design: Descriptive study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Services Hospital, Lahore between August 2000 to August 2002.

Patients And Methods: A group of 50 consecutive cases presenting with altered bowel habits meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. History and physical examination were recorded on a specifically designed proforma. Colonoscopy was done in these patients and any abnormality found was reported and biopsy specimen taken and sent for histopathology.

Results: A total number of 17 patients presenting with altered bowel habits were found to be suffering from colorectal carcinoma by colonoscopy. Among these in 30% the lesion was in the rectum, in 9% the lesion was in the sigmoid colon, 6% in the descending colon, 4% at the splenic flexure, 5% in the transverse colon, in 16% the lesion was found at the hepatic flexure and in 30% the lesion was in the ascending colon and caecum.

Conclusion: Frequency of colorectal carcinoma is high in patients above 40 years of age who presenting with altered bowel habits. They should be investigated preferably by means of colonoscopy which is the most complete method of investigation and diagnostic procedure of choice in patients with a clinical suspicion of colorectal carcinoma.