Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

The elderly and those with certain chronic health conditions are at greater risk of suffering from complications following colonoscopies, according to a study conducted by researchers from National Cancer Institute and the University of North Carolina. The study, which was published last month in the Annals of Internal Medicine, looked at data from 53,220 Medicare beneficiaries aged 66 to 95 who underwent colonoscopy between 2001 and 2005.

A colonoscopy is a screening for colon and rectal cancers which, if detected early, is highly curable. It is recommended that individuals start screenings at age 50, or sooner for those at higher risk of colorectal cancer or with a family history of the disease.

The study found that a low number of people – about 6.9 per every 1,000 – who had colonoscopies experienced a serious gastrointestinal event, such as perforation or bleeding within 30 days of having a colonoscopy. Among those who experienced a gastrointestinal event, the risk was more than twice as high among adults older than 85 than among those ages 66 to 69. Patients with a history of chronic health problems, such as stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, atrial fibrillation or congestive heart failure were more likely that those without those conditions to experience a serious gastrointestinal event following a colonoscopy.

The solutions used to prep the bowel prior to colonoscopy may also cause greater risk for the elderly. Earlier this year, oral sodium phosphate (OSP) products Visicol and Osmo Prep received a black box warning from the Food and Drug Administration after receiving numerous reports of a serious kidney injury following use of OSP products. The agency also warned against over-the-counter OSP products, like those made by Fleet.

Use of OSP may cause a form of kidney injury known as acute phosphate nephropathy. Reports show that the elderly may be at greater risk of developing the condition than younger individuals.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises against colonoscopies among adults over age 85 because the risks of the procedure appear to outweigh the benefits.

Source: Cancer Consultants

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