Diagnostic Lower Gastrointestinal Endoscopy In Warri, Delta State, Southern Nigeria: Spectrum Of Indications And Colonic Abnormalities

Abstract

Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for the evaluation of lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract, as it offers both diagnostic and therapeutic benefits. However, region specific data on the indications and diagnosis at colonoscopy is limited in Delta State, Nigeria. This study aims to determine the spectrum of indications and diagnostic abnormalities among patients undergoing diagnostic colonoscopy. This study retrospectively reviewed colonoscopy reports of 364 patients obtained from the endoscopy register of a private health facility in Warri, Delta State, between January 2020 and December 2025. The retrieved data comprising patient demographics, clinical indications, comorbidities and colonoscopy findings were entered into a proforma, and this data was analysed. Three hundred and sixty-four colonoscopies were done, and males comprised 64% and females 36%, giving a male-to-female ratio of about 2:1. The mean age in this study was 52.1years. The age range was 19-100 years, and the cluster age group was the 5 th to 7 th decades (59.3%). Hematochezia was the most frequent indication for a colonoscopy (44.8%), followed by abdominal pain (13.7%), constipation (11.8%) and weight loss (7.1%). The most common comorbidity was hypertension (30.5%). Colitis was the commonest diagnosis (64.0%), followed by haemorrhoids (22.5%) and tumors (12.1%). A high diagnostic yield of 92% from colonoscopy was recorded. Most abnormal findings were found more in males than in females, although not statistically significant (p >0.05). This study concluded that hematochezia was the commonest indication for colonoscopy and colitis is the most common diagnosis. This calls for colonoscopy as an effective means of diagnosing colonic diseases with a high diagnostic yield.