Colorectal polyps risk factors: A case–control study in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire)

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Adenomas and certain serrated polyps have the potential to develop into colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite barriers limiting routine screening for CRCs in Côte d’Ivoire, it is important to focus on the risk factors for colorectal (CR) polyps. To facilitate the identification of individuals to prioritize for CRC screening, this study aimed to determine the risk factors of CR polyps in a hospital setting in Abidjan.
Materials and Methods: From January 1st, 2023, to July 31st, 2023, a prospective analytical multicenter case–control study was conducted in four hospitals in Abidjan. Patients diagnosed with CR polyps (cases) were compared to those without polyps (controls), matched for age and gender at a 1:1 ratio. Logistic regression was employed to determine factors associated with the discovery of CR polyps.
Results: Thirty-three cases were matched to 33 controls [age (P = 0.97), gender (P = 0.80), recruitment site (P = 1.00), indication for colonoscopy (P = 0.93)]. Adenomatous polyps represented 68.3% (n = 28) of cases. In univariate analysis, factors associated with CR polyps were body mass index (P = 0.004), personal or family history of CRC (P = 0.004) and/or CR polyps (P = 0.007), and consumption of red meat (P < 0.001). After multivariate analysis, only red meat consumption was statistically associated with CR polyps (P = 0.02) [odds ratio (OR) = 17.0 (1.5–189.3)]. Alcohol and tobacco were not statistically associated with the presence of CR polyps either in univariate analysis [alcohol (OR= 0.14) and tobacco (OR= 1.00)] or in multivariate analysis [alcohol (OR= 0.99) and tobacco (OR= 0.99)].
Conclusion: Our study found that increased consumption of red meat is associated with the presence of CR polyps. However, tobacco and alcohol did not show an association with CR polyps in our study. Larger studies are necessary to validate or challenge our findings.