Adenoma detection rate increases with each decade of life after 50 years of age.

BACKGROUND: The adenoma detection rate (ADR) has recently been used as a quality measure for screening colonoscopy. We hypothesize that the ADR will increase with each decade of life after 50 years of age. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to define age-based goals for the ADR and advanced neoplasia to improve the quality of colonoscopy. METHODS: Using the Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative database, we identified patients who underwent screening colonoscopy between 2005 and 2006. Pathology of polyp findings was reviewed, and the ADR and the prevalence of advanced neoplasia were calculated based on age and sex. RESULTS: A total of 7756 polypectomies (44.9%) were performed on 17,275 patients between 2005 and 2006. Of these polyps, 56.3% (4363) were adenomas or more advanced lesions. The ADR was higher in men than women and increased with age. The ADR in men younger than age 50 was 24.7 (95% CI, 18.2-31.2); for those 50 to 59 years of age, it was 27.8 (95% CI, 26.5-29.1); for those 60 to 69 years of age, it was 33.6 (95% CI, 31.7-35.4); for those 70 to 79 years of age, it was 34.3 (95% CI, 31.5-37.1); and for those older than 80 years of age, it was 40.0 (95% CI, 32.9-47.1). The ADR in women younger than 50 years old was 12.6 (95% CI, 6.8-18.4); in those 50 to 59 years of age, it was 17.0 (85% CI, 15.9-18.1); for those 60 to 69 years of age, it was 22.4 (95% CI, 20.8-24.0); for those 70 to 79 years of age, it was 26.1 (95% CI, 23.7-28.5); and for those older than 80 years of age, it was 26.9 (95% CI, 21.4-32.5). LIMITATIONS: The Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative database offers access to demographic information as well as endoscopy and pathology data, but there is limited clinical information about patients in the database. CONCLUSION: The ADR, and, importantly, the rate of advanced neoplasia increased with each decade of life after the age of 50 and are higher in men than women in each decade of life.