New scoring system predicts colorectal neoplasia in under-45s

A new study has developed a simple score to predict the risk of advanced colorectal neoplasia in adults under 45 years old who are having a colonoscopy. This score uses clinical factors from patient data. Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic analyzed records of individuals aged 18 to 44 who underwent colonoscopies between 2011 and 2021. They focused on two groups: those with advanced neoplasia and those without significant findings. Out of nearly 9,500 participants, 346 were found to have advanced neoplasia, which is about 3.7 percent. The researchers identified several risk factors, including body mass index, family history of colorectal cancer, and tobacco use. They used these factors to create a predictive model. The scoring system showed moderate ability to distinguish those at risk in a validation set. The score could estimate the likelihood of advanced neoplasia ranging from 1.8 percent to over 14 percent, depending on the score he or she received. The authors believe that once the score is validated, it could help with personalized strategies for colorectal cancer prevention.