Lower intestinal endoscopy- inaugural year experience from a private centre in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Colonoscopy is an indispensable tool for investigating and intervening in disorders of the lower intestinal tract. There is an increasing body of data showcasing the findings and experiences of the various centers that carry out the procedure in Nigeria.
Objectives: This study set out to document the patterns of patient presentation, clinical characteristics of such patients and findings at colonoscopy.
Methodology: This was a retrospective study carried out on the records of the patients that presented for colonoscopy during the first year of operations (August 2014 to July 2015) of the endoscopy unit of Clinix Healthcare in Lagos, Nigeria. The endoscopy register was reviewed to retrieve clinical details of patients, the colonoscopy indication and findings.
Results: A total of 125 colonoscopies were performed during this period. There were 85(68%) males and 40(32%) females, giving a male to female ratio of 2.1:1. The clients’ age ranged from 23 to 94years with a mean of 52.4years ±14.2. Most clients were in the 6th decade of life. Only 7(4.8%) had been referred for a routine screen. The most common symptom at presentation were haematochezia alone (73=58.4%) or in combination with other symptoms (90=72%). Others were alteration in bowel habits (15=12%), abdominal pain (12=9.6%) and suspected gastrointestinal bleeding as indicated by melaena stools or anaemia of undetermined origin (8=6.4%). A normal study was reported in 19(15.2%) procedures. Overall, the diagnostic yield was 84.8%. The most common abnormality was haemorrhoids as seen in a total of 68 patients. Other findings were suspected cancerous lesions in 25 patients, diverticular disease in 14 patients, polyps in 12 patients and features suggestive of mucosal inflammation alone in 6 patients.
Conclusion: The findings from the first year of colonoscopy in our Lagosbased privately owned centre showed that the most common indication for referral was lower GI bleeding, and the most commonly diagnosed lesion was haemorrhoids. These, are in keeping with previously documented series from other centres in the country.

Keywords: Anaemia, bowel habits, haematochezia, haemorrhoids, males