Background: Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). We conducted a retrospective analysis of adenoma detection rates (ADR) in initial screening colonoscopies to further investigate the role of diabetes in adenoma detection. Methods: A chart review was performed on initial average risk screening colonoscopies (ages 45–75) during 2012–2015. Data collected included basic demographics, insurance, BMI, family history of CRC, smoking, diabetes, and aspirin use. Multivariable generalized linear mixed models for binary outcomes were used to examine the relationship between diabetes and variables associated with CRC risk and ADR. Results: Of 2865 screening colonoscopies, 282 were performed on patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Multivariable analysis suggested that T2DM (OR = 1.49, 95% CI:1.13–1.97, p = 0.0047) was associated with an increased ADR, as well as smoking, older age, higher BMI and male sex (all p < 0.05). For patients with T2DM, those not taking diabetes medications were more likely to have an adenoma than those taking medication (OR = 2.38, 95% CI:1.09–5.2, p = 0.03). Conclusion: T2DM has an effect on ADR after controlling for multiple confounding variables. Early interventions for prevention of T2DM and prescribing anti-diabetes medications may reduce development of colonic adenomas and may contribute to CRC prevention.

Background The direct admission process is a complex system that can be aggravated by inherent gaps in communication leading to inefficient continuity of care and patient safety issues. Bypassing the emergency room, triage is often associated with long periods of unmonitored observation and significant delays in patient assessment. We identified significant communication gaps, delays in placement of admission orders and patient assessment during the direct admission process at our institution. To address this issue, we created and implemented a standardised direct admission flow diagram that consists of a step-by-step direct admission process, which includes a communication device and a triage power plan in the Electronic Medical Record. Methods We used the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model for Quality improvement to address communication gaps in the direct admission process Baseline measurement confirmed two critical gaps in communication: 1) communication to the Medical Admitting Resident (MAR), the central source of communication of all medicine admissions, and 2) delays in placement of orders and assessment of the patient. Results Two months after implementation of a standardised process that addressed the two major gaps in communication, we found that communication to the MAR increased from 16% (7/42) to 100% (15/15). Additionally, the average time for order placement and assessment of patient decreased from 153 minutes to 53 minutes (n=15). Conclusion In order to improve the safety of direct admissions, the entire process must be carefully analysed and potential delays in patient assessment should be minimised. A standardised flow diagram that identified and targeted specific communication gaps can minimise delays in patient care.

Background and Aims: The incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer is persistently highest in Black/African-Americans in the United States. While access to care, barriers to screening, and poverty might explain these findings, there is increased interest in examining biological factors that impact the colonic environment. Our group is examining biologic factors that contribute to disparities in development of adenomas prospectively. In preparation for this and to characterize a potential patient population, we conducted a retrospective review of initial screening colonoscopies in a cohort of patients. Methods: A retrospective review was performed on initial average risk screening colonoscopies on patients (age 45-75 years) during 2012 at three institutions. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between potential risk factors and the detection of adenomas. Results: Of the 2225 initial screening colonoscopies 1495 (67.2%) were performed on Black/African-Americans and 566 (25.4%) on Caucasians. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that older age, male sex, current smoking and teaching gastroenterologists were associated with higher detection of adenomas and these were less prevalent among Black/African-Americas except for age. Neither race, ethnicity, BMI, diabetes mellitus, HIV nor insurance were associated with adenoma detection. Conclusion: In this sample, there was no association between race and adenoma detection. While this may be due to a lower prevalence of risk factors for adenomas in this sample, our findings were confounded by a lower detection rate by consultant gastroenterologists at one institution. The study allowed us to rectify the problem and characterize patients for future trials.

BACKGROUND The Black/African Ancestry (AA) population has a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and a higher incidence and mortality rate for colorectal cancer (CRC) than all other races in the United States. T2DM has been shown to increase adenoma risk in predominantly white/European ancestry (EA) populations, but the effect of T2DM on adenoma risk in Black/AA individuals is less clear. We hypothesize that T2DM has a significant effect on adenoma risk in a predominantly Black/AA population. AIM To investigate the effect of T2DM and race on the adenoma detection rate (ADR) in screening colonoscopies in two disparate populations. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted on ADR during index screening colonoscopies (age 45-75) performed at an urban public hospital serving a predominantly Black/AA population (92%) (2017-2018, n = 1606). Clinical metadata collected included basic demographics, insurance, body mass index (BMI), family history of CRC, smoking, diabetes diagnosis, and aspirin use. This dataset was combined with a recently reported parallel retrospective cohort data set collected at a suburban university hospital serving a predominantly White/EA population (87%) (2012-2015, n = 2882). RESULTS The ADR was higher in T2DM patients than in patients without T2DM or prediabetes (35.2% vs 27.9%, P = 0.0166, n = 981) at the urban public hospital. Multivariable analysis of the combined datasets showed that T2DM [odds ratio (OR) = 1.29, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-1.55, P = 0.0049], smoking (current vs never OR = 1.47, 95%CI: 1.18-1.82, current vs past OR = 1.32, 95%CI: 1.02-1.70, P = 0.0026 ) , older age (OR = 1.05 per year, 95%CI: 1.04-1.06, P < 0.0001), higher BMI (OR = 1.02 per unit, 95%CI: 1.01-1.03, P = 0.0003), and male sex (OR = 1.87, 95%CI: 1.62-2.15, P < 0.0001 ) were associated with increased ADR in the combined datasets, but race, aspirin use and insurance were not. CONCLUSION T2DM, but not race, is significantly associated with increased ADR on index screening colonoscopy while controlling for other factors.