Contribution Of Colonoscopy In The Diagnosis Of Chronic Diarrhea At The Digestive Endoscopy Centre

Abstract

Background and Aim: Diarrhea is a condition where the stool water content rises, causing stool softness and frequent bowel movements. The incidence of chronic diarrhea is estimated to affect 4%-5% of the general population. The present study aimed to determine the role of colonoscopy in chronic diarrhea diagnosis at the digestive endoscopic centre.

Patients and Methods: A total 110 chronic diarrhea patients were retrospectively investigated in the Endoscopic Unit of Medicine Department of MTI Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar from February 2018 to February 2021.  Each individual underwent colonoscopy and data regarding demographic details such as age and gender, pathological results, and clinical findings were recorded. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 27.

Results: The overall mean age was 44.82±4.6 years. Majority of patients 30.9% (n=34) belonged to the age range 46-60 years. There were 48 (43.6%) male and 62 (56.4%) females. The incidence of glairo-bloody, glairy, and liquid cases were 52.7% (n=58), 29.1% (n=32), and 18.2% (n=20) respectively. Based on colonoscopy findings, the prevalence of normal, inflammatory lesions, neoplastic lesions, hemorrhoids, and others were 58.2% (n=64), 27.3% (n=30), 15.5% (n=17), 59.1% (n=65), and 16.4% (n=18) respectively.

Conclusion: The present study observed that chronic diarrhea exploration by colonoscopy use remains significant and enabled 80% or above cases to be diagnosed of chronic diarrhea based on endoscopic examination.