Trends of Screening Utilization, Bowel Preparation and Polyp Detection and its Effect on Colorectal Cancer Incidence in Major Ethnic Groups in Israel

Aims Similar to other western countries, recent reports have confirmed the improving trends in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and outcomes in Israel. Still, disparities in incidence and mortality in CRC continue to persist between major ethnic groups, despite the provision of widespread screening and improved care. We aimed to outline, from an endoscopic point of view, ethnic disparities in major endoscopic measures concerned with CRC screening and detection.

Methods We reviewed electronic reports of patients referred for colonoscopy procedures over a 20-year period. We compared demographic, clinical and endoscopic findings between major ethnic population groups in Israel. Trends of screening utilization, bowel preparation and polyp detection rates where tracked and incidence of colorectal cancer development where followed for both groups.

Results A total of 51307 patients had undergone colonoscopy procedures, of whom 16 % were Arabs and 84 % were Jewish, were included for final analysis. During all the study period the rate of procedures performed for CRC screening where significantly lower in the Arab group (4.93 % vs. 13.07 %; P<0.0001). In parallel, for the most part of follow-up period, the Arab patients had higher rates of inadequate bowel preparation (overall: 20 % vs. 12 %; P<0.001) and lower polyp detection rate (16.7 % vs. 22.5 %; P<0.0001). Expectedly, the incidence of CRC has steadily decreased in the Jewish group, while an adverse pattern of increasing incidence was documented in the Arabs patient during the follow up period.

Conclusions Characterized by lower screening utilization and poor bowel preparation, the incidence of CRC in the Arab patients is increasing, while improving trends of CRC were observed in their Jewish counterparts.

Citation: Abu Baker F, Kopelman Y. et al. eP245 TRENDS OF SCREENING UTILIZATION, BOWEL PREPARATION AND POLYP DETECTION AND ITS EFFECT ON COLORECTAL CANCER INCIDENCE IN MAJOR ETHNIC GROUPS IN ISRAEL Endoscopy 2021; 53: S178.

Publication History

Article published online:
19 March 2021