Both colorectal neoplasm (CN) and coronary artery obstructive disease (CAOD) are prevalent and major leading causes of death in Korea. Although CN and CAOD share similar risk factors such as male gender, smoking, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and obesity, few studies of both CN and CAOD have been reported. In this study, we evaluated clinical correlations between CN and CAOD.

Between June 2003 and December 2007, 176 patients (Male: 101, average age: 62.1±9.7 yr) who underwent colonoscopy after or before coronary angiography were retrospectively enrolled. The colonoscopic findings (normal, adenoma, or cancer) of patients as well as clinical and laboratory data according to the extent of CAOD (normal, minimal CAOD, or CAOD) were compared.

CAOD negative, minimal CAOD, and CAOD patients totaled 36, 40, and 100, respectively. The presence of CN (adenoma and adenocarcinoma) in CAOD negative, minimal CAOD, and CAOD cases was 42%, 48%, and 63%, respectively, which was significantly different ( P <0.05). In multivariate analysis, old age (≥60 yr; P =0.03, odds ratio 2.47) and the presence of CAOD ( P =0.02, odds ratio 4.11) were associated with the presence of CN.

The prevalence of CN increased in proportion to the severity of CAOD. Colorectal cancer screening by fecal occult blood tests or colonoscopy should be a priority in patients with CAOD, particularly the elderly.