Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Fecal occult blood test and colonoscopy diagnosis in 60 patients

BACKGROUND: colon and rectal carcinoma are frequent occurrences and common causes of death. The elderly, both male and female, are the most affected group and preventive exams are essential to reduce mortality rates. The fecal occult blood tests are long-established and simple methods which are based on the idea that polyps and carcinomas bleed frequently. In recent times, the interest in these methods grew considerably. OBJECTIVE: the study evaluates the relevance of fecal occult blood test as a screening method in symptomatic patients compared to colonoscopy results. METHOD: 60 symptomatic patients with colon and rectal ailments at Santa Casa of São Paulo Hospital underwent fecal occult blood tests with benzidine, followed by colonoscopic exam. RESULTS: the average age was 54.2, being 31 of them women and 28 men. The fecal occult blood test was positive in 25 and negative in 34. Lesions were identified as the cause of bleeding and the fecal occult blood test had a sensibility of 63.7%, specificity of 81%, predictive positive value of 28% and negative of 88%. CONCLUSION: the present results show that the fecal occult blood test should be applied in social programs of carcinoma prevention in symptomatic patients.

Occult blood test; colonoscopy; carcinoma; colon and rectum


Cidade Editora Científica Ltda Av . Marechal Câmara, 160- sala 916 - Ed Orly - 20020-080 - Rio de Janeiro - Rj , Tel 2240 8927 , Fax 21 22205803 - Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brazil
E-mail: sbcp@sbcp.org.br