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Because colonoscopy is a widely recommended screening test, precise population-based data on complications are important. To identify serious complications, investigators at Northern California Kaiser Permanente health system reviewed electronic records of 16,318 colonoscopies performed from 1994 to 2002 in patients aged 40 or older. Colonoscopies performed for symptoms were excluded. Complications (bleeding, perforation, diverticulitis, other) were identified by hospital admission or death within 30 days of the procedure and were further evaluated by detailed chart review.
The most common indications for colonoscopy were polyps seen on sigmoidoscopy (45%, with nearly all involving biopsy) and history of polyps (23%, with half involving biop…