# The frequency of colorectal lesions in the first-degree relatives of patients with colorectal lesions among PERSIAN Guilan Cohort Study population (PGCS)

## TL;DR

This study found that first-degree relatives of people with colorectal lesions have a high risk of developing similar issues, especially if they are older, smoke, or eat fewer vegetables.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the familial risk and lifestyle factors associated with colorectal lesions in the Iranian population.

## Key findings

- 34.6% of first-degree relatives had colorectal polyps, with 52 being neoplastic.
- Age over 60 and smoking significantly increased the risk of colorectal polyps.
- Eating vegetables more than three times daily reduced the risk of polyps.

## Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the frequency of colorectal lesions in the first-degree relatives of patients with colorectal lesions among the Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in Iran (PERSIAN )Guilan Cohort Study (PGCS) population.

In this cross-sectional study, 162 first-degree relatives with a history of colorectal lesions were randomly selected from 52 participants in PGCS. All subjects underwent total colonoscopy by a gastroenterologist, and a pathologist evaluated colorectal biopsies. Also, individuals’ demographic information, clinical data, and dietary habits were recorded.

The mean age of the participants was 56.55 ± 7.04. Of 86 colon polyps, 52 neoplastic and 34 non-neoplastic polyps were observed in 56 patients (34.6%). Individuals with age > 60 years had 3.29-fold increased odds of developing colorectal polyps (OR = 3.29, 95% CI: 1.13–9.56, P = 0.029). The smokers were 2.73 times more susceptible to developing colorectal polyps than non-smokers (OR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.24–6.02, P = 0.013). Moreover, consumption of vegetables more than three times per day was associated with decreased OR of colorectal polyp development (OR = 0.43, CI: 0.19–0.98, P = 0.045).

Considering the high prevalence of neoplastic colorectal polyps among the first-degree relatives of patients with colorectal lesions, early screening is recommended for individuals with a family history of colorectal lesions.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12876-024-03177-z.