Role of Fecal occult blood testing in asymptomatic Senior citizens

Dr.A.Senthil Vadivu; Dr.B.Sivasubramaniam; Dr.E.Kandasamy alias Kumar

Volume : VII, Issue : VIII, August - 2017

Role of Fecal occult blood testing in asymptomatic Senior citizens

Dr. A. Senthil Vadivu, Dr. B. Sivasubramaniam, Dr. E. Kandasamy Alias Kumar

Abstract :

AIM : Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) in asymptomatic elderly individuals for colorectal cancer screening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Place of study: Department of digestive Health and Diseases, Government Peripheral Hospital, Anna Nagar, Chennai. Prospective study patients attending DDHD OPD, Annanagar. Period of Study: March 2012–Jan 2013.Elderly asymptomatic individuals. Inclusion criteria :Age:>60 years to 86yrs. Exclusion Criteria: Family history of colorectal cancer ,Chronic constipation, Bleeding per rectum. Fecal Samples taken after written consent. Patients with positive FOBT are subjected to colonoscopy.Biopsy if lesion present and correlated. RESULT: Total number of patients enrolled in the study was 325, both male and female in the age group of >60yrs upto 86 yrs.In the above said population FOBT positivity rate was 38 (11.6%) in Non hydrated slide.Ulcer :6 ,Diverticulum:9,Foreign body:1,Worm infestation:5,Polyp;11, cancer:4. CONCLUSIONS: Screening in asymptomatic elderly people with FOBT has resulted in detection of unsuspected malignancy, in early stage and reduced malignancy related morbidity and mortality. FOBT can be still recommended for colorectal cancer screening in a population based study.