Comparison of Risk of Metachronous Advanced Colorectal Neoplasia in Patients with Sporadic Adenomas Aged < 50 Versus ≥ 50 years: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

No specific recommendations are available for the surveillance of young patients aged <50 years undergoing polypectomy. We aimed to compare the risk of metachronous advanced colorectal neoplasia (ACRN) between patients aged >= 50 years and those aged <50 years who underwent polypectomy. Studies published between January 1980 and June 2020 that examined the risk of metachronous ACRN were searched. We performed a meta-analysis for the metachronous ACRN risk in patients with sporadic colorectal adenomas according to the age groups (>= 50 vs. <50 years). Eight individual studies were included in the meta-analysis. The risk of metachronous ACRN was higher in patients aged >= 50 years than in those aged <50 years without significant heterogeneity (odds ratio (OR) (95% CI): 1.62 (1.34-1.96), I-2 = 14%). The impact of the age group on the risk of metachronous ACRN was identified in both the low-risk (LRA) and high-risk (HRA) adenoma groups (>= 50 vs. <50 years: LRA, OR 1.88 (95% CI 1.30-2.70); HRA, OR 1.50 [95% CI 1.13-2.00]). In conclusion, patients aged <50 years had a lower risk of metachronous ACRN than older patients. Young patients with sporadic adenomas do not require more intensive surveillance; rather, the surveillance interval may be extended in these patients.

Automated summary

Patients under the age of 50 who have undergone polypectomy have a lower risk of metachronous advanced colorectal neoplasia (ACRN) compared to older patients (>= 50 years), indicating that they do not require more intensive surveillance and can have extended surveillance intervals.