Risk assessment for delayed hemorrhagic complication of colonic polypectomy: polyp-related factors and patient-related factors

Background Hemorrhage is among the most serious complications of colorectal polypectomy and may occur after a longer postprocedure interval. Objective We aimed to elucidate the risk factors for delayed postpolypectomy hemorrhage, including both polyp characteristics and the general condition of the patients. Design Retrospective cohort study. Patients A total if 6,617 cases of colorectal polypectomy was performed in 3,138 consecutive patients in Japan. Main Outcome Measurements The risk factors for delayed postpolypectomy hemorrhage were assessed among polyp characteristics (form, size, histologic features) and the method of resection by unconditional logistic regression. Patient conditions (smoking, alcohol, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia) were compared between case-control pairs matched on polyp-related characteristics by conditional logistic regression. Results Hemorrhage occurred in 38 lesions (0.57%) of 37 patients (1.2%): 22 required endoscopic hemostasis and 1 required blood transfusion. Although polyp size was associated with the occurrence of delayed hemorrhage (10.0 ± 6.9 mm in hemorrhage cases vs 5.6 ± 3.8 mm in others, P < .0001), other polyp-related factors were not significant. Hypertension was a complication in 25 of 37 (68%) cases and in 21 of 74 (28%) matched controls, showing an adjusted odds ratio of 5.6 (95% CI 1.8-17.2, P = .001). Other patient characteristics were not significant. The interval between polypectomy and hemorrhage was significantly longer in patients with hypertension (median 6 days, range 2-14 days) than in those without hypertension (2.5 days, 1-9 days; P = .019). Limitations This study does not provide information regarding prevention of hemorrhage. Conclusions Hypertension is a significant risk factor for delayed colorectal postpolypectomy hemorrhage. The interval between polypectomy and hemorrhage can be as long as 14 days in the presence of hypertension.