Should Warfarin Be Discontinued Before Fecal Occult Blood Testing?

Warfarin use did not increase false-positive screening results.

Whether warfarin affects the positive predictive value of fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) for colorectal cancer is unclear, although recent evidence suggests that discontinuation is unwarranted (Am J Gastroenterol 2005; 100:1586.

To examine this issue further, investigators used CORI (Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative) data to compare the prevalence of neoplasia in FOBT-positive patients who were taking warfarin with that in those not taking warfarin. Of 10,266 FOBT-positive patients who underwent subsequent colonoscopy, 372 (3.6%) were on warfarin and 9265 (90.2%) were not; warfarin status was unknown in the remaining patients.

After adjustment for age and sex, no significant between-group differences were found in terms of positive co…

Reviewing Author

Douglas K. Rex, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOlympus Corporation America; Boston Scientific

Speaker’s BureauOlympus

Grant/Research SupportMedtronic; Boston Scientific; Colonary Solutions; Paion Medical; Medivators; Braintree Laboratories

Editorial BoardsWorld Journal of Gastroenterology; The Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology; Techniques in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy; Gastroenterology & Hepatology; Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology; Medscape Gastroenterology; World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology and Therapeutics; Annals of Gastroenterology & Hepatology; World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology; Comparative Effectiveness Research; Journal of Anesthesia & Clinical Research; Gastroenterology; World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology; Gastroenterology Research and Practice; GI & Hepatology News; Gastroenterology Report; Clinical Epidemiology Reviews; JSM Gastroenterology and Hepatology; GI Journal Watch; Austin Journal of Gastroenterology; World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (Treasurer); US Multi-Society Task Force (AGA, ACG, ASGE) (Chair)

Douglas K. Rex, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOlympus Corporation America; Boston Scientific

Speaker’s BureauOlympus

Grant/Research SupportMedtronic; Boston Scientific; Colonary Solutions; Paion Medical; Medivators; Braintree Laboratories

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (Treasurer); US Multi-Society Task Force (AGA, ACG, ASGE) (Chair)