Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41601400›Full record

ArticleAlimentary pharmacology & therapeutics2026

Real-World Performance of FIT Triage for Symptomatic Colonoscopy: Analysis of the UK National Endoscopy Database (NED).

David Beaton, Mahmoud Mohamed, Linda Sharp, Keith Pohl, Matthew Rutter

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

David BeatonNorthumbria NHS Foundation Trust, North Shields, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4329-8842
Mahmoud MohamedNorth Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, Stockton-on-Tees, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4779-4632
Linda SharpPopulation Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9515-1722
Keith PohlTorbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, Torquay, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0619-0023
Matthew RutterPopulation Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9507-0295

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe UK has adopted faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) to triage symptomatic colonoscopy referrals.

objectiveQuantify diagnostic yield and independent effects of FIT, age, sex and symptoms on polyp and cancer detection in symptomatic colonoscopy.

designNationwide analysis of prospectively collected colonoscopy reports (June 2023-August 2025) from the National Endoscopy Database. Symptomatic procedures, including iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA), were identified and diagnostic yields calculated. Mixed-effects logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with age, sex, symptom group and FIT. Post-estimation margins modelled cancer yield by age, FIT and symptoms.

resultsAnalysis of 447,109 symptomatic colonoscopies, with FIT recorded in 202,219 (45.2%). Overall cancer yield was 1.9% (95% CI, 1.8-1.9). Cancer yield was 3.8% (95% CI, 3.7-3.9) in FIT ≥ 10, including 2.5% (95% CI, 2.3-2.7) at age 40-49 and 0.6% (95% CI, 0.5-0.7) at age 16-39; yield in FIT < 10 was 0.3% (95% CI, 0.2-0.3). FIT concentration showed a strong, graded association with cancer risk, weaker association with large polyps, and minimal association with small polyps. IDA was associated with higher cancer risk versus rectal bleeding (aOR 2.2, 95% CI, 2.0-2.3; p < 0.01). With FIT < 10, cancer yield exceeded 1% only in IDA patients aged > 80 and remained < 0.5% otherwise. A model combining FIT, age, and IDA detected > 94% of cancers while reducing colonoscopy demand by > 40%.

conclusionThis national analysis demonstrates the superiority of FIT-based triage over symptom-based referral, with FIT ≥ 10 identifying high-risk patients, including those aged 40-49, while FIT < 10 indicated very low risk.

Indexed as

Colonic PolypsColonoscopyColorectal NeoplasmsEarly Detection of CancerOccult BloodTriageAdolescentAdultAgedDatabases, FactualFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedUnited KingdomYoung Adult

Identifiers

PMID41601400
PMCPMC13089666

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.