Does Colonic Diverticulosis Raise the Risk of Colorectal Adenoma in Patients with Colorectal Cancer?

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of development of colorectal adenomas in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) with and without colonic diverticulosis.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study that included patients with CRC between 2008 and 2011. All patients underwent preoperative colonoscopic and barium enema examinations. Follow-up colonoscopic examinations were performed within 1 year and between 3 and 5 years postoperatively. The incidence of colorectal adenomas was compared based on the presence or absence of diverticulosis. Additionally, multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors independently associated with the development of synchronous and metachronous colorectal adenomas.

RESULTS

Of the 168 patients with CRC included in the study, 55 showed colonic diverticulosis. Synchronous colorectal adenomas were more common in CRC patients with diverticulosis than in those without diverticulosis (P > 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that colonic diverticulosis (odds ratio (OR) 3.874, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.843-8.144, P > 0.001) and obesity (body mass index > 25.0 kg/m2, OR 2.395, 95% CI 1.089-5.270, P = 0.030) were associated with an increased risk of synchronous colorectal adenomas. The presence of synchronous colorectal adenomas increased the risk of metachronous colorectal adenomas (OR 4.407, 95% CI 1.855-10.473, P > 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Colonic diverticulosis was associated with synchronous colorectal adenomas in patients with CRC, which is eventually increasing the risk of metachronous adenomas.