Original Contribution
The American Journal of Gastroenterology (2005) 100, 2049–2055; doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2005.41832.x
Prevalence and Risk of Colorectal Neoplasia in Consumers of Alcohol in a Screening Population
Joseph C Anderson MD1, Zvi Alpern MD1, Gurvinder Sethi MD1, Catherine R Messina PhD2, Carole Martin ANP1, Patricia M Hubbard ANP1, Roger Grimson PhD2, Peter F Ells MD1 and Robert D Shaw MD1
- 1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York;
- 2Department of Preventive Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
Correspondence: Joseph C Anderson, MD, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Room 60, Health Science Center T-17, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794
Received 19 November 2004; Revised 0000; Accepted 15 April 2005.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS:
Although studies suggest a positive association between alcohol consumption and risk for colorectal neoplasia, the impact on screening has not been fully examined. It is also unclear whether all types of alcohol are associated with an increased risk. We performed a cross-sectional study to examine the impact of regular alcohol consumption on the detection of significant colorectal neoplasia in a screening population.
METHODS:
Data collected for 2,291 patients presenting for screening colonoscopy: known risk factors for colorectal neoplasia and alcohol drinking pattern. Our outcome was the endoscopic detection of significant colorectal neoplasia, which included adenocarcinoma, high-grade dysplasia, villous tissue, adenomas 1 cm or greater and multiple (>2) adenomas of any size.
RESULTS:
When compared to abstainers, we found an increased risk for significant neoplasia in those patients who consumed more than eight drinks of spirits alcohol (26.3%; OR = 2.53; 95% CI = 1.10–4.28; p < 0.01) and those who drank more than eight servings of beer per week (21.7%; OR = 2.43; 95% CI = 1.11–5.32; p= 0.02). Consuming one to eight glasses of wine per week was associated with a decreased risk for significant neoplasia (OR = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.34–0.87; p < 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS:
While there was a more than twofold increased risk of significant colorectal neoplasia in people who drink spirits and beer, people who drank wine had a lower risk. In our sample, people who drank more than eight servings of beer or spirits per week had at least a one in five chance of having significant colorectal neoplasia detected by screening colonoscopy.
