Colonic Pathology in Nairobi, Kenya: A review of colonoscopic and HistopathologicaL Profiles of 418 patients

Abstract

Background: Symptoms of digestive disorders are among the most common causes of consultations to health workers worldwide. But from Sub.Saharan African there is a shortage of information on morphological profiles, morbidity, mortality and epidemiology of digestive disease. The aim of this study was to do a retrospective analysis of records on colonoscopic findings and histological examination of patients evaluated between 2005 and 2011 with aim of establishing the profiles and characteristics of colonic lesions seen in Kenya.

Methodology: Records of patients sent for colonoscopy in a busy private clinic were reviewed retrospectively. The records reviewed included patients demographic data, appearance of colon at colonoscopy and histological findings of biopsied samples. The records were retrieved from the clinic and the laboratory files and entered into an EXEL spread sheet. The data was cleaned and analyzed using SPSS Version 17. The patients had been referred from both public and private hospitals countrywide.

Results: Four hundred and eighteen patients were seen over the 6 years; 247 male and 171 female (ratio 1.4:1) mean age for the entire group population was 45± 20 years. Of these 10.8% were normal, 51.9% were non.specific colitis, 12.7% Adenocarcinoma, 9.3% Ulcerative colitis and 7.7% amoebic colitis. Well differentiated adenocarcinoma was the commonest neoplasm, the most frequent histopathological pattern in this category.

Conclusion: Ulcerative colitis and Amoeabic colitis and cancer of the colon are frequent and appear to be on the increase.