Microbiome Predicts Metachronous Colorectal Adenomas
Douglas K. Rex, MD, MASGE, reviewing Xue JH, et al. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021 Jun 13.
This Chinese study examined 367 patients in a retrospective cohort and 238 in a prospective group for the amount of fecal Fusobacterium nucleatum, quantitated by polymerase chain reaction. In the retrospective cohort, a high abundance of fecal F nucleatum was associated with an odds ratio of 6.38 for metachronous adenomas compared to a low abundance. This risk was substantially higher than with factors such as advanced adenoma and 3 or more adenomas at baseline, and neither of these showed an actual statistically significant difference. In the prospective cohort, the sensitivity of a high abundance of F nucleatum in the feces was 73% for adenomas, and the specificity was 65%.
COMMENTAlthough this association is hardly ready for clinical use, colon polyps are so important to our practice in GI, and we hear so much about the microbiome and a variety of health outcomes, it seemed readers might find it interesting to know that such a strong association of fecal bacteria has been made with such an important clinical outcome for colonoscopists.
Note to readers: At the time we reviewed this paper, its publisher noted that it was not in final form and that subsequent changes might be made.
CITATION(S)
Xue JH, Xie YH, Zou TH, et al. Fecal Fusobacterium nucleatum as a predictor for metachronous colorectal adenoma after endoscopic polypectomy. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021 Jun 13. (Epub ahead of print) (https://doi.org/10.1111/jgh.15559)
