To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Colorectal Polyps Less Likely in Indian-Subcontinent Asians: Presented at UEGW URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/216BA6.htm Doctor's Guide November 5, 2007
By Jill Stein PARIS, FRANCE -- November 5, 2007 -- Researchers have documented that Indian-subcontinent Asians have fewer colorectal polyps than other ethnic groups even when corrected for age. The findings, reported here at the 15th United European Gastroenterology Week (UEGW), are drawn from a review of the colonoscopy records of 8,309 patients over a recent 12-year period retrieved from a single London hospital. "The Indian-subcontinent Asian diet is generally high in fiber and low in red meat, and such a diet has been shown to protect against colorectal cancer," N. J. West, MD, consultant gastroenterologist, St. George's Hospital, London, United Kingdom, and co-workers said in a poster presentation. The group conducted the study to determine whether the frequency of colorectal polyps is different in patients of Indian subcontinent Asian origin compared to other ethnic groups.
Colorectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death and the third most common malignancy in the UK, with an incidence of 35,006 new cases in 2003, they said. Incidence varies geographically, and low rates have been reported in Indian-subcontinent Asians."
The frequency of colorectal sporadic adenomatous polyps generally reflects the cancer incidence, and thus the detection and removal of colorectal polyps is critical for cancer prevention, they added.
For the analysis, patients of Indian-subcontinent Asian origin were identified by name. This method of identification has previously been validated by these investigators.
Overall, 8% patients in the study were Indian-subcontinent Asians and 92% were from other ethnic groups.
The Indian-subcontinent Asian group was significantly younger than the other ethnic groups (mean age 54.7 years vs 59.8 years, P <.0001), and significantly fewer of them underwent colonoscopy for a positive family history than other ethnic groups (4.6% vs 11.3%, P <.0001).
Fewer Indian-subcontinent Asian patients of both sexes had polyps than other ethnic groups (21.0% vs 28.1%, P <.0001). The difference between the two groups persisted after controlling for age (20.7% in the Indian-subcontinent Asian group vs 28.6% in other ethnic groups, P <.0001).
"Our findings support the hypothesis that Indian subcontinent Asians have fewer colorectal polyps and may explain the lower incidence of colorectal cancer in this group," Dr. West's group said. The researchers called for additional studies are needed to pinpoint possible protective factors against colorectal cancer in this population. [Presentation title: Colonic Polyps: Ethnic Differences in Frequency. Abstract E-375] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.