A sex-specific propensity-adjusted analysis of colonic adenoma detection rates in a screening cohort

Effect of fecal immunochemical test cut-off levels on adenoma detection rate: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Adenoma detection rate (ADR) is higher after a positive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) compared to direct screening colonoscopy.

OBJECTIVE

This meta-analysis evaluated how ADR, the rates of advanced adenoma detection (AADR), colorectal cancer detection (CDR), and sessile serrated lesion detection (SSLDR) are affected by different FIT positivity thresholds.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and EBM Reviews databases for studies reporting ADR, AADR, CDR, and SSLDR according to different FIT cut-off values in asymptomatic average-risk individuals aged 50-74 years old. Data were stratified according to sex, age, time to colonoscopy, publication year, continent, and FIT kit type. Study quality, heterogeneity, and publication bias were assessed.

RESULTS

Overall, 4280 articles were retrieved and fifty-eight studies were included (277,661 FIT-positive colonoscopies; mean cecal intubation 96.3%; mean age 60.8 years; male 52.1%). Mean ADR was 56.1% (95% CI 53.4 - 58.7%), while mean AADR, CDR, and SSLDR were 27.2% (95% CI 24.4 - 30.1%), 5.3% (95% CI 4.7 - 6.0%), and 3.0% (95% CI 1.7 - 4.6%), respectively. For each 20 μg Hb/g increase in FIT cut-off level, ADR increased by 1.54% (95% CI 0.52 - 2.56%, p < 0.01), AADR by 3.90% (95% CI 2.76 - 5.05%, p < 0.01) and CDR by 1.46% (95% CI 0.66 - 2.24%, p < 0.01). Many detection rates were greater amongst males and Europeans.

CONCLUSIONS

ADRs in FIT-positive colonoscopies are influenced by the adopted FIT positivity threshold, and identified targets, importantly, proved to be higher than most current societal recommendations.

No association of NAFLD-related polymorphisms in PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in an Austrian population study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Single-nucleotide-polymorphisms in PNPLA3-rs738409 and the TM6SF2-rs58542926, associated with metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), have been discussed as potentially protective for cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, we aimed to study the associations of PNPLA3/TM6SF2 variants with MAFLD and cardiovascular risk in a population-based sample of asymptomatic patients.

METHODS

The study cohort comprised 1742 patients of European decent aged 45-80 years from a registry study undergoing screening colonoscopy for colorectal cancer between 2010 and 2014. SCORE2 and Framingham risk score calculated to assess cardiovascular risk. Data on survival were obtained from the national death registry RESULTS: Half of included patients were male (52%, 59 ± 10 years), 819 (47%) carried PNPLA3‑G and 278 (16%) TM6SF2-T-alleles. MAFLD (PNPLA3‑G-allele: 46% vs. 41%, p = 0.041; TM6SF2‑T-allele: 54% vs. 42%, p < 0.001) was more frequent in patients harbouring risk alleles with both showing independent associations with MAFLD on multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. While median Framingham risk score was lower in PNPLA3‑G-allele carriers (10 vs. 8, p = 0.011), SCORE2 and established cardiovascular diseases were similar across carriers vs. non-carriers of the respective risk-alleles. During a median follow-up of 9.1 years, neither PNPLA3‑G-allele nor TM6SF2‑T-allele was associated with overall nor with cardiovascular mortality.

CONCLUSION

Carriage of PNPLA3/TM6SF2 risk alleles could not be identified as significant factor for all-cause or cardiovascular mortality in asymptomatic middle-aged individuals undergoing screening colonoscopy.

Serum DNA methylome of the colorectal cancer serrated pathway enables non-invasive detection

The clinical relevance of the colorectal cancer serrated pathway is evident, but the screening of serrated lesions remains challenging. We aimed to characterize the serum methylome of the serrated pathway and to evaluate circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) methylomes as a potential source of biomarkers for the non-invasive detection of serrated lesions. We collected serum samples from individuals with serrated adenocarcinoma (SAC), traditional serrated adenomas, sessile serrated lesions, hyperplastic polyps and individuals with no colorectal findings. First, we quantified cfDNA methylation with the MethylationEPIC array. Then, we compared the methylation profiles with tissue and serum datasets. Finally, we evaluated the utility of serum cfDNA methylation biomarkers. We identified a differential methylation profile able to distinguish high-risk serrated lesions from no serrated neoplasia, showing concordance with tissue methylation from SAC and sessile serrated lesions. Serum methylation profiles are pathway-specific, clearly separating serrated lesions from conventional adenomas. The combination of ninjurin 2 (NINJ2) and glutamate-rich 1 (ERICH1) methylation discriminated high-risk serrated lesions and SAC with 91.4% sensitivity (64.4% specificity), while zinc finger protein 718 (ZNF718) methylation reported 100% sensitivity for the detection of SAC (96% specificity). This is the first study exploring the serum methylome of serrated lesions. Differential methylation of cfDNA can be used for the non-invasive detection of colorectal serrated lesions.

Influence of Sex and Age on Site of Onset, Morphology, and Site of Metastasis in Colorectal Cancer: A Population-Based Study on Data from Four Italian Cancer Registries

The prognosis of colorectal cancer is affected by factors such as site of origin, tumor morphology, and metastasis at diagnosis, but also age and sex seem to play a role. This study aimed to investigate within the Italian population how sex and age interact in influencing certain aspects of the disease and how they affect patient survival, particularly in the metastatic cohort. Data from four cancer registries were collected, and patients were classified by sex and age (<50, 50-69, and >69 years). Two separate analyses were conducted: one for patients having right or left colon cancer with adenocarcinoma or mucinous morphology, and one for patients having metastases at diagnosis. Women showed significant differences in right colon cases from the youngest to oldest age group (36% vs. 45% vs. 60%). Men <50 years had a significantly higher mucinous carcinoma percentage than their female counterparts (22% vs. 11%), while in the oldest age group women had the highest percentage (15% vs. 11%). The metastatic pattern differed between men and women and by age. The three-year relative survival in the <50 age group was better for women than men, but this survival advantage was reversed in the oldest group. In conclusion, sex and age are factors that influence the biological and clinical characteristics of colorectal cancer, affecting the metastatic pattern as well as patient survival.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is not independently associated with Helicobacter pylori in a central European screening cohort

BACKGROUND

The association between Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is subject of a contentious debate. Data mainly stem from Asian cohorts whereas European data are scarce. We, therefore, investigated an Austrian colorectal cancer screening cohort for an association between Hp and NAFLD.

METHODS

In total, 5338 consecutive participants undergoing screening colonoscopy at a single center in Austria were evaluated in this cross-sectional study. The primary risk factor was being Hp negative or positive. The primary endpoint was the presence of NAFLD defined by ultrasound (NAFLD; primary endpoint). Uni- and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to obtain odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Finally, this association was analyzed in a subgroup of 1128 patients in whom NAFLD was diagnosed by transient elastography (TE, secondary endpoint).

RESULTS

NAFLD prevalence defined by ultrasound did not differ between Hp positive (48%) and negative patients (45%, P=0.097). Accordingly, in uni- (OR 1.12 95% CI 0.98-1.29; P=0.098) and multivariable analysis adjusting for different risk factors (aOR 0.96 95%CI 0.82-1.13; P=0.601) no independent association was found. On subgroup analysis, NAFLD diagnosed by TE was more prevalent in the Hp positive compared to the Hp negative group (49% vs. 38%, P=0.004) and these patients also had higher steatosis grades. However, after adjustment for risk factors, no independent association between Hp positivity and NAFLD diagnosed by TE (aOR 1.26 95%CI 0.89-1.78; P=0.194) was confirmed.

CONCLUSIONS

In this Central European cohort, Hp-positivity was not associated with the diagnosis of NAFLD. Although Hp positive patients seem to be more likely to have a concomitant NAFLD diagnosis, this association might rather relate to a cardiometabolic risk phenotype than causality.

Helicobacter pylori and cardiovascular risk: Only a dead Helicobacter is a good Helicobacter?

OBJECTIVES

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and cardiovascular (CV) disease share common symptoms and underlie many general medical complaints. Preliminary studies suggest an association between H. pylori positivity and CV risk, and gastroenterological guidelines recommend eradication of H. pylori in patients with manifest atherosclerosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the reciprocal association of H. pylori positivity and CV risk for their independence of shared risk factors.

METHODS

We included 3284 asymptomatic participants of a colorectal cancer screening cohort who were offered and underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. We calculated the 10-year risk for a CV event using the novel SCORE2 for each patient. We evaluated the association between H. pylori positivity and CV risk assessed by SCORE2 using both multilevel logistic and linear regression. We adjusted for age, sex and the concomitant diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. Lastly, we assessed the association between H. pylori status and mortality using proportional hazard Cox regression.

RESULTS

In total, 2659 patients were H. pylori negative and 625 H. pylori positive. Helicobacter pylori positivity was associated with SCORE2 and remained so (r = .33; 95% CI 0.09-0.57; p = .006) after adjustment for age, sex, and the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. Also, SCORE2 was associated with higher odds for H. pylori positivity (aOR 1.03 95% CI 1.01-1.05; p = .02) even after multivariable adjustment. Helicobacter pylori positivity was associated with neither CV (HR 0.60 95% CI 0.14-2.63; p = .50) nor all-cause (HR 1.20 95% CI 0.77-1.87; p = .43) mortality during a median follow-up of 9 years.

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, H. pylori positivity and CV risk were independently associated. This did not translate into a dissimilar CV mortality between H. pylori positive and H. pylori negative patients. However, the overwhelming majority of our patients underwent H. pylori eradication. We, therefore, think that H. pylori eradication is at least safe from a cardiovascular perspective and warranted from gastrointestinal standpoint.

Efficacy of combination colonoscopy using modified cap-assisted and water-exchange colonoscopy with prone position for detection of colorectal adenomas

The efficacy of cap-assisted and water-exchange colonoscopy, individually or in combination for adenoma detection is well documented. Moreover, prone positioning colonoscopy may also improve adenoma detection by decreasing loop formation. However, the efficacy of triple-combination colonoscopy using the above methods for adenoma detection is unclear. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of combining modified cap-assisted and water-exchange colonoscopy with prone position (CWP) and conventional colonoscopy (CC) for adenoma detection. A total of 746 patients who underwent either CWP or CC, performed by 2 board-certified gastroenterologists between December 2019 and March 2020, were investigated retrospectively. Cap-assisted colonoscopy was modified using hooking and dragging maneuver. We evaluated the polyp detection rate (PDR), adenoma detection rate (ADR), and the mean number of adenomas detected per procedure (MAP). There was no significant difference in sex, age, the indication of colonoscopy and quality of bowel preparation between the 2 groups. PDR, ADR, and proximal colon MAP were significantly higher in the CWP group than in the CC group (PDR: 84.9% vs 59.8%, P < .01; ADR: 70.1%, vs 49.2%, P < .01; proximal colon MAP: 1.24 vs 0.55, P < .01). CWP is more effective than CC for PDR, ADR, and proximal colon MAP. Although it may facilitate adenoma detection, further studies assessing the synergistic or complementary effects of combining these methods are needed.

A prospective cohort study of the relationship between the withdrawal time and the detection rate of colorectal adenoma

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The effect of colonoscopy withdrawal time (WT) beyond 6 min on colorectal adenoma detection rate (ADR) is unclear. We focused on the relationship between WT and ADR.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was a prospective observational study involving 437 patients who underwent colonoscopy at Tongren Hospital in Shanghai from 1 July 2020 to 31 August 2020. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether the WT was >6 min. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), defoaming rate score, Boston bowel preparation scale (BBPS), primary colonoscopy, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dietary preparation 1 day before the examination, and abdominal surgery history factors were analysed by univariate and multivariable logistic regression to explore the odds ratios (ORs) of ADR in two WT groups. Restricted cubic spline regression was used to further analyze the relationship between WT and the ORs of adenoma detection.

RESULTS

The ADR among 437 patients was 17.16% (75/437). Multivariable regression analysis showed that in the group with WT >6 min, patients aged ≥50 years old and male could have an increased risk of adenoma detection (OR 5.80, 95% CI 2.32-14.47; p < .001; OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.19-4.43; p = .013). The cubic spline curve showed that the ADR increased with time for WT of 6-8 min, and the highest ADR was achieved when the WT was controlled at 8 min (WT = 5.997, OR = 0.997; WT = 8.240 min, OR = 3.092).

CONCLUSION

The highest ADR was achieved when the WT of colonoscopy was controlled at 8 min.

Cardiovascular Risk Assessment by SCORE2 Predicts Risk for Colorectal Neoplasia and Tumor-Related Mortality

Objectives: The European Society of Cardiology endorsed SCORE2 to assess cardiovascular risk. The aim of this observational, retrospective study was to assess whether SCORE2 is associated with colorectal neoplasia in an asymptomatic screening population. Further, we evaluated if SCORE2 predicts tumor-related mortality. Methods: We included 3408 asymptomatic patients who underwent a screening colonoscopy. We calculated SCORE2 for each participant and stratified patients according to their predicted 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease: SCORE2 0−4.9%, SCORE2 5−9.9%, and SCORE2 ≥ 10%. We assessed the association between SCORE2 as a continuous variable, the presence of colorectal neoplasia using multilevel logistic regression, and SCORE2 and mortality using Cox regression. Results: In total, 1537 patients had a SCORE2 of 0−4.9%, 1235 a SCORE2 of 5−9.9%, and 636 a SCORE2 ≥ 10%. The respective rates of colorectal neoplasia were 20%, 37%, and 44%. SCORE2 was associated with the presence of any (OR 1.11 95%CI 1.09−1.12; p < 0.001) and advanced colorectal neoplasia (OR 1.06 95%CI 1.08−1.13; p < 0.001) in univariate analysis. After multivariable adjustment (age, sex, family history, and metabolic syndrome) a higher SCORE2 remained associated with higher odds for any (aOR 1.04 95%CI 1.02−1.06; p = 0.001) and advanced (aOR 1.06 95%CI 1.03−1.10; p < 0.001) colorectal neoplasia. SCORE2 was associated with both all-cause (HR 1.11 95%CI 1.09−1.14; p < 0.001) and tumor-related mortality (HR 1.10 95%CI 1.05−1.14; p < 0.001). Conclusions: We found that SCORE2 is associated with the presence of colorectal neoplasia. Clinicians could kill two birds with one stone calculating SCORE2. In patients with a high SCORE2, screening colonoscopy aside from cardiovascular risk mitigation could improve outcomes.

Machine Learning Models Cannot Replace Screening Colonoscopy for the Prediction of Advanced Colorectal Adenoma

Screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) continues to rely on colonoscopy and/or fecal occult blood testing since other (non-invasive) risk-stratification systems have not yet been implemented into European guidelines. In this study, we evaluate the potential of machine learning (ML) methods to predict advanced adenomas (AAs) in 5862 individuals participating in a screening program for colorectal cancer. Adenomas were diagnosed histologically with an AA being ≥ 1 cm in size or with high-grade dysplasia/villous features being present. Logistic regression (LR) and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) algorithms were evaluated for AA prediction. The mean age was 58.7 ± 9.7 years with 2811 males (48.0%), 1404 (24.0%) of whom suffered from obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²), 871 (14.9%) from diabetes, and 2095 (39.1%) from metabolic syndrome. An adenoma was detected in 1884 (32.1%), as well as AAs in 437 (7.5%). Modelling 36 laboratory parameters, eight clinical parameters, and data on eight food types/dietary patterns, moderate accuracy in predicting AAs with XGBoost and LR (AUC-ROC of 0.65–0.68) could be achieved. Limiting variables to established risk factors for AAs did not significantly improve performance. Moreover, subgroup analyses in subjects without genetic predispositions, in individuals aged 45–80 years, or in gender-specific analyses showed similar results. In conclusion, ML based on point-prevalence laboratory and clinical information does not accurately predict AAs.