[Clinical significance of colonic angiodysplasias]

Among 9343 colonoscopic examinations (1975-1983) colonic angiodysplasias (AD) were diagnosed in 78 patients (0.8%). The mean age of patients with AD was 68 (17-86) years which was significantly higher than that of patients without AD (p less than 0.0001). 76% of the AD were localized in cecum or colon ascendens, 13% in colon transversum, 4% in colon descendens and 6% in sigmoid colon. 69 patients (88.5%) had 1-4 AD; 4 (5.1%) 5-10 AD and 5 (6%) more than 10 AD. A high incidence of associated diseases leading to vascular complications (i.e. hypertension, diabetes mellitus) was noted. 14 of the 78 patients had anticoagulation or bleeding disorders, possibly precipitating intestinal bleeding. The 21 patients (26.9%) with symptomatic AD had either lower intestinal bleeding (n = 8) or severe anemia (n = 13). In 57 patients (73.1%) the AD were asymptomatic during a mean follow-up of 48 (1-108) months. Whereas age and sex distribution were not significantly different between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, the number and size of AD were significantly increased in symptomatic patients (p less than 0.005).