Colonoscopy in Zaria: Indications and findings

Background: Colonoscopy is an important procedure in the management of colorectal diseases. During a colonoscopy, one can visualize the mucosa of the large bowel and perform therapeutic procedures. Aim: The aim of this study is to review the indications and findings of colonoscopy in our center. Data on age, gender, indications, and findings at endoscopy were extracted from the endoscopy unit register. Patients and Methods: The study is a retrospective descriptive one and included all patients who underwent colonoscopy between June 2017 to December 2019 at the endoscopy unit of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria. Data on age, gender, indications, and findings at endoscopy were extracted from the endoscopy unit register. The data obtained were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) statistical software version 20. Results: One hundred and twenty-five patients had a colonoscopy during the period under review with a male to female ratio of 1.9:1. The age range of the patients was 3 to 85 years and the mean age was 46.7 ± 16.7 The most common indications for colonoscopy in our center were lower gastrointestinal bleeding (40 (32%)), followed by suspected colonic tumors (37 (29.6%)), and hemorrhoids (18 (14.4%)). The commonest findings were hemorrhoids (50 (40%)), colonic tumors (25 (20%)), and colitis (21 (16.8%)). Conclusion: A colonoscopy is an effective tool in the management of colorectal diseases. Lower gastrointestinal bleeding was the commonest indication for colonoscopy in our center and hemorrhoids and colorectal tumors were the commonest findings.