Saudi Med J
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Multicenter Study
Outcomes and appropriateness of colonoscopy referrals at King Khalid University Hospital, Saudi Arabia: An opportunity to expand the colonoscopy screening.
To examine the colonoscopy referrals in an open-access system and determine the outcome and factors associated with appropriate referral. ⋯ The colonoscopy referrals were appropriate. The incidence of neoplasia was higher among those aged ≥45. Low inappropriate referrals and a high neoplasia detection were found based on ASGE guidelines. Future research should involve prospective multicenter referrals from family physicians outside hospitals and investigate patients' hesitancy to proceed with colonoscopy and cost-effectiveness.