Indications and findings of colonoscopy in patients presenting to the endoscopy unit at Soba University Hospital in Khartoum, Sudan

Abstract 

Background and study aims

The new endoscopy unit at Soba University Hospital in Khartoum, Sudan is an emerging unit, established in June 2003. In 2004 less than 200 colonoscopies were performed , the number rising to over 700 colonoscopies in 2009. The objectives of this study were to identify the common indications and findings in patients attending for colonoscopy and to study the correlation between patients’ symptoms and significant endoscopic findings, mainly colonic polyps and colorectal cancer.

Patients and methods

All patients referred for colonoscopy were assessed prospectively by the study investigators and a questionnaire was filled with all relevant data including age, gender, indications for the procedure, clinical examination and endoscopic findings.

Results

A total of 123 patients were included in the study with a mean age of 46.7 years. Indications for colonoscopy included abdominal pain, altered bowel motions, rectal bleeding and iron deficiency anaemia. Polyps were found in 15% of cases and colorectal cancer in 11%. Male gender, iron deficiency anaemia and a rectal mass on digital examination were all significant risk factors in predicting a positive diagnostic yield on colonoscopy.

Conclusion

Patients presenting with iron deficiency anaemia and a rectal mass on digital examination should have a priority over others in undergoing a colonoscopy. Despite the fact that flexible sigmoidoscopy is a useful initial investigation when a delay is anticipated in doing a colonoscopy, cases with proximal colonic polyps and cancers can be missed. Performing a full colonoscopy should be the investigation of choice in symptomatic patients.