Clinical predictors for sessile serrated polyposis syndrome: A case control study

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Serrated polyposis syndrome (SPS) is a rare condition characterized by numerous serrated polyps.
• Understanding the demographic and clinical features of SPS is crucial for early diagnosis and management.
• Comparison with sessile serrated adenoma (SSA) and adenomas helps delineate distinct characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the clinical, endoscopic, and histological features of patients with Serrated Polyposis Syndrome (SPS) against those with sessile serrated adenoma (SSA) and adenomas.
• To determine the prevalence of SPS in a secondary and tertiary academic center setting.
• To identify risk factors and demographic differences associated with SPS.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective collation of clinical, endoscopic, and histological data from patients diagnosed with SPS over 3 years.
• Matching SPS patients with two control groups: patients with SSA not meeting SPS criteria and patients with exclusively adenomas.
• Matching controls by gender and endoscopist, considering adenoma detection rates ranging from 25% to 40%.

Main Results:

• SPS prevalence was 0.26% (1:384), with 35% requiring over a year to meet diagnostic criteria.
• SPS patients were predominantly women (75%) and significantly younger (mean age 45) than SSA (57) and adenoma (63) cohorts.
• No significant association found for smoking, family history, or high BMI; however, SPS patients (97%) were more likely to be Caucasian than adenoma patients (79%).

Conclusions:

• SPS prevalence is low (0.26%), primarily affecting younger women.
• Age is a key differentiator between SPS, SSA, and adenoma patients.
• While not linked to family history or smoking, Caucasian ethnicity is more prevalent in serrated polyp patients.