A researcher from the Mayo Clinic in Arizona found computed tomographic colonography, also called virtual colonoscopy, was as effective in patients over 65 as it was in patients under 65, according to findings published in Radiology.
CT colonoscopy has been used as an alternative to a traditional colonoscopy, although it's been thought to be more effective in younger patients. For this study, researchers sought to test that hypothesis.
Researchers looked at data from 477 participants age 65 and older and compared that to data from patients younger than 65. They found the prevalence of adenomas 1 cm or larger was 6.9 percent versus 3.7 percent for the younger participants. For large neoplasms, sensitivity and specificity were 0.83 and 0.83, respectively, for the older group and 0.92 and 0.86, respectively, for the younger group. The per-polyp sensitivity for large neoplasm was 0.75 for the older group and 0.84 for the younger group. For adenomas 6 mm or larger, per-participant sensitivity was 0.72 for older participants and 0.81 for younger participants.
Researchers concluded the differences for most of the diagnostic factors were not statistically significant.
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CT colonoscopy has been used as an alternative to a traditional colonoscopy, although it's been thought to be more effective in younger patients. For this study, researchers sought to test that hypothesis.
Researchers looked at data from 477 participants age 65 and older and compared that to data from patients younger than 65. They found the prevalence of adenomas 1 cm or larger was 6.9 percent versus 3.7 percent for the younger participants. For large neoplasms, sensitivity and specificity were 0.83 and 0.83, respectively, for the older group and 0.92 and 0.86, respectively, for the younger group. The per-polyp sensitivity for large neoplasm was 0.75 for the older group and 0.84 for the younger group. For adenomas 6 mm or larger, per-participant sensitivity was 0.72 for older participants and 0.81 for younger participants.
Researchers concluded the differences for most of the diagnostic factors were not statistically significant.
More Articles on Gastroenterology:
Dr. Chadwick Hatfield Earns Gastroenterology Certification
University of Cincinnati Surgeon Performs New Bariatric Procedure
Study: Polyp Removal Prevents Colorectal Cancer Deaths