Prevalence of Adenomas Found on Colonoscopy in Patients With HIV
Abstract
Methods: HIV patients seen in our gastroenterology clinic and inpatient service undergoing colonoscopy were identified from 2010 - 2011. Indication was screening in 27 patients and diagnostic in 23 patients. Significant lesions were defined as adenomas, serrated polyps, and adenocarcinoma.
Results: Total 50 patients were included in the study, 32 male and 18 female (mean age: 53.6; range 37 - 72 years), 25 patients were African American, 21 were Hispanic, 3 were Caucasian, and one was Indian, 39 patients had undetectable HIV RNA, 30 patients had CD4 lymphocyte counts greater than 500, 20 had CD4 lymphocyte counts less than 500, and 4 patients had CD4 lymphocyte counts less than 200, 52% (26/50) of patients had polyps. Significant lesions (adenomas and serrated polyps) were seen in 34% (17/50) of patients, 39% in diagnostic and 30% in screening procedures (P = 0.56). Males were found to have significant lesions 28% of the time as compared to 44% of females (P = 0.35), 43% of Hispanics had significant lesions versus 24% of African Americans (P = 0.22), 25% of the patients under age 50 were found to have significant lesions, 45% of the patients with detectable HIV RNA levels were found to have significant lesions vs 31% (P = 0.48). Surprisingly, patients with CD4 counts > 500 had significantly more adenomas than those with CD4 counts < 500, 47% vs 15% (P = 0.03). No adenocarcinomas were seen in our patient population.
Conclusion: In our case series of HIV patients the adenoma detection rate was 34% overall, 45% in the patients with detectable HIV RNA levels, and 47% in patients with CD4 counts > 500. Additionally, there was a 25% adenoma detection rate in patients less than fifty years of age. This data reinforces the need for aggressive colon cancer screening in the HIV population.
Gastroenterol Res. 2012;5(2):52-56
doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/gr433w