Epidemiological analysis and results from colonoscopies in patients from 84 municipalities between 2015 and 2019

Theaim of this study was to trace and describe the epidemiological profile of patientsundergoing colonoscopy through an observational cross-sectional cohort study whichfocused on patients from a macro region comprised of 84 municipalities in the inland of the state of São Paulo from 2015 to 2019. Results from 610 patients undergoing colonoscopy at the Regional Hospital of Jundiaíwere used to develop a comparative analysis betweenexam requests and main endoscopic findings, including prevalent colorectal pathologies. The patients underwent examination following the same hospitalization protocol for colon preparation, non-operating room anesthesia and propofol sedation, all performed by the same doctor. Out of a total of 610 medical records studied, 63.9% were female and 36.1% male. Exam requests were primarily based on bowel habit alterations, 17.4%. Only 61% of the exam requisitions proved to be adequate, 96.2% presented good colonic preparation, 56.2% showed alterations, and 26.1% were diagnosed with colonic diverticular disease. Considering the risks and complications of colonoscopy, indicationsforthis exam should be properly defined and guided according to clinical signs and risk factors. In addition, the most common pathology detected by the colonoscopy exams was the colonic diverticular disease, as extensively described in the literature.