Researchers in Saudi Arabia looked at over 2,500 colonoscopy scans to understand what problems doctors find in people’s colons and whether age or gender affects these findings. They discovered that hemorrhoids (swollen blood vessels) were the most common issue, followed by polyps (small growths). Interestingly, men and women had different patterns of colon problems, and younger people had different issues than older people. These findings suggest that doctors might need to customize screening recommendations based on a person’s age and gender to catch problems early.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: What types of colon problems doctors find during colonoscopy exams, and whether men versus women or different age groups have different patterns of these problems.
  • Who participated: 2,523 people who had colonoscopy procedures at a hospital in Makkah, Saudi Arabia between 2010 and 2020. The study looked back at their medical records to see what was found.
  • Key finding: About 38 out of every 100 people had hemorrhoids, and about 12 out of every 100 had polyps. Men were more likely to have hemorrhoids, while women were more likely to have ulcers and erosions (small sores). Older people had more diverticular disease (pouches in the colon) and bleeding, while younger people had more inflammation.
  • What it means for you: If you’re getting a colonoscopy, knowing these patterns might help your doctor focus on what to look for based on your age and gender. However, this study only looked at one hospital in Saudi Arabia, so results might be different in other regions or populations.

The Research Details

This study looked backward in time at medical records from colonoscopy procedures performed between 2010 and 2020. Researchers examined 2,523 colonoscopy reports from one hospital in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and recorded what problems doctors found during each procedure. They then organized this information by the patient’s age and gender to see if certain groups had more of certain problems than others.

The researchers looked for specific findings including polyps (small growths in the colon), tumors, bleeding, diverticulosis (pouches in the colon wall), hemorrhoids (swollen blood vessels), and signs of inflammation. They used statistical methods to determine whether the differences they found between age groups and between men and women were likely real or just due to chance.

This type of study is called a cross-sectional study because it takes a snapshot of a population at a particular time, looking at existing data rather than following people forward over time.

This research approach is valuable because it uses real-world medical data from actual patients, making the findings relevant to actual clinical practice. By examining a large number of procedures (2,523), the researchers could identify patterns that might not be obvious from smaller studies. Understanding these age and gender patterns helps doctors know what to watch for in different patient groups and could lead to more targeted screening strategies.

Strengths of this study include the large sample size and the use of actual clinical data from a real hospital. However, because this is a retrospective study looking at existing records, the quality depends on how carefully the original reports were documented. The study only included patients from one hospital in Saudi Arabia, so the findings may not apply to other regions or populations with different genetics, diets, or lifestyles. The study doesn’t explain why these patterns exist, only that they do.

What the Results Show

Hemorrhoids were by far the most common finding, occurring in about 38% of patients (roughly 4 out of every 10 people). Polyps were the second most common finding, occurring in about 12% of patients (roughly 1 out of every 8 people). These two conditions accounted for the majority of abnormalities found.

When comparing men and women, significant differences emerged. Men had a higher rate of hemorrhoids compared to women. In contrast, women had a notably higher rate of ulcers and erosions (small sores in the colon lining), with this difference being statistically significant (meaning it’s very unlikely to have happened by chance).

Age played an important role in determining what types of problems were found. Polyps were most common in people aged 50-59 years, suggesting this is a critical age for polyp development. Older patients showed higher rates of diverticular disease (pouches forming in the colon wall) and bleeding. Younger patients, particularly those aged 20-39 years, had higher rates of inflammatory changes in their colons.

The study revealed that colon health issues are quite common in this Saudi Arabian population, with multiple conditions often occurring together in the same patient. The pattern of findings suggests that different age groups face different risks, which could inform when and how often screening should occur. The gender differences suggest that biological or lifestyle factors may influence colon health differently in men versus women.

While extensive research has been done on colon health in Western populations, this study fills a gap by providing data from a Saudi Arabian population. The overall prevalence of polyps and hemorrhoids is consistent with findings from other regions, but the specific patterns and prevalence rates may differ due to genetic, dietary, and environmental differences. The finding that polyps peak in the 50-59 age group aligns with international screening recommendations that typically begin at age 50.

This study only looked at people who had colonoscopies at one hospital, so it may not represent the entire Saudi Arabian population or other regions. People who get colonoscopies may be different from those who don’t (for example, they might have more symptoms). The study doesn’t explain why these patterns exist or what causes them. Because it’s a retrospective study, the quality of findings depends on how well the original medical records were documented. The study cannot prove that age or gender causes these differences, only that they’re associated with them.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, people should discuss their individual risk factors with their doctor to determine appropriate screening timing and frequency. The findings suggest that screening recommendations might benefit from being tailored to age and gender, though individual risk factors should always be considered. This is not a substitute for professional medical advice from your healthcare provider.

This research is most relevant to people in Saudi Arabia or similar populations, though the general patterns may apply more broadly. People aged 50-59 should be particularly aware of polyp risk. Men should be aware of hemorrhoid risk, while women should be aware of ulcer and erosion risk. Healthcare providers in the region should consider these patterns when deciding on screening strategies. People with family histories of colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease should discuss screening with their doctors regardless of age.

Colon problems develop over years, so screening benefits appear over the long term rather than immediately. Regular screening as recommended by your doctor can help catch problems early when they’re easier to treat. Most people won’t notice changes in their colon health without medical screening.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your colonoscopy screening dates and results. Record the date of your procedure, any findings (polyps, hemorrhoids, inflammation), and your doctor’s recommendations for follow-up screening. Set reminders for recommended screening intervals based on your age and gender.
  • Use the app to schedule and remember your colonoscopy appointments based on your age and risk factors. Set reminders for preventive health discussions with your doctor about colon health screening, especially if you’re in a higher-risk age group (50+) or have relevant symptoms.
  • Maintain a long-term record of all colonoscopy procedures and findings. Track any gastrointestinal symptoms between screenings (bleeding, changes in bowel habits, abdominal discomfort). Use this information to discuss with your healthcare provider at follow-up appointments to ensure appropriate screening intervals.

This research describes patterns found in one hospital in Saudi Arabia and should not be used for self-diagnosis. Colon health varies greatly between individuals based on genetics, lifestyle, diet, and medical history. If you have symptoms like rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habits, or abdominal pain, consult your healthcare provider immediately. Screening recommendations should be personalized based on your individual risk factors and discussed with your doctor. This summary is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice.