Serum CEA levels (ng/mL) were measured using a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (UniCel DXI 800; Beckman Coulter, CA, USA). Abnormal levels were defined as levels above 3 ng/mL [15 (link)]. Fecal hemoglobin (f-Hb) was measured using OC-SensorTM (Eiken Chemical Co., Tokyo, Japan), as previously reported [17 (link)]. Results with f-Hb ≥ 20 µg/g were defined as positive [18 (link)].
All the colonoscopies were conducted by endoscopists who perform at least 200 colonoscopies per year [19 (link)]. Significant colonic lesion (SCL) was defined as histologically confirmed colitis (any etiology), colonic ulcer, advanced adenoma (any adenoma ≥ 10 mm, with high-grade dysplasia or villous histology), polyposis (>10 polyps of any histology), polyps ≥ 10 mm, bleeding angiodysplasia and complicated diverticular disease (diverticulitis, bleeding). Any diagnosed polyp during baseline colonoscopy was removed either upon that exploration or afterwards.
All the colonoscopies were conducted by endoscopists who perform at least 200 colonoscopies per year [19 (link)]. Significant colonic lesion (SCL) was defined as histologically confirmed colitis (any etiology), colonic ulcer, advanced adenoma (any adenoma ≥ 10 mm, with high-grade dysplasia or villous histology), polyposis (>10 polyps of any histology), polyps ≥ 10 mm, bleeding angiodysplasia and complicated diverticular disease (diverticulitis, bleeding). Any diagnosed polyp during baseline colonoscopy was removed either upon that exploration or afterwards.
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