Prevalence and risk factors of colon polyps and other colonic lesions in acromegaly: Insights from colonoscopy screening

Purpose The existing data on colon lesions in acromegaly is notably heterogeneous. This study aimed to analyze the endoscopic and histopathological characteristics of colon polyps and other colonic lesions in acromegaly patients. Methods This case-control study included 192 acromegaly patients and 256 controls. Colon polyps were categorized based on their size and histopathological classification. Colon malignancies and other colonic lesions, such as anal fissures, hemorrhoids, and diverticulosis, were also documented. Results The prevalence of colon polyps was higher in the acromegaly group than in controls (p = 0.003), however, no differences were observed in the number, size, or histopathological subtypes of the polyps. Polyps in acromegaly patients were predominantly located in the distal colon and rectum. Multiple polyp locations and histopathological subtypes were more frequent in the control group (p = 0.042 and p = 0.018). Rates of low-grade dysplasia, high-grade dysplasia, and malignancy were similar between groups. Anal fissures were more common in the acromegaly group, whereas diverticulosis was less frequent (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001; respectively). Logistic regression analysis identified no significant clinical or laboratory predictors for colon polyps in acromegaly. Conclusion Patients with acromegaly exhibited a higher prevalence of colon polyps, predominantly located in the distal colon, which typically displayed a single histopathological subtype. No increased rates of colonic dysplasia, colon cancer, or other colonic lesions were observed in patients with acromegaly, except for an elevated prevalence of anal fissures.