Follow-up colonoscopy decisions for adults 75 and older
Surveillance Colonoscopy in Older Adults: The SurvOlderAdults Study
This project looks at whether getting routine follow-up colonoscopies after polyp removal helps people aged 75 and older avoid colorectal cancer while weighing the procedure risks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA San Diego Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11219733 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are 75 or older and previously had a polyp removed, researchers will use VA health records to compare outcomes for people who had surveillance colonoscopies with those who did not. They will track new colorectal cancer diagnoses, deaths, and colonoscopy-related complications while accounting for other health problems that affect life expectancy. The team plans to measure whether the potential cancer-prevention benefit is large enough to outweigh the higher risks of colonoscopy in older adults. Results aim to help doctors and patients decide when surveillance is likely to help or to cause more harm than benefit.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 75 and older with a prior history of polyp (adenoma) removal, especially Veterans receiving care in the VA system.
Not a fit: People younger than 75, those without a history of polyps, or individuals with hereditary high-risk colorectal syndromes would generally not be the focus and may not benefit from these results.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help older adults avoid unnecessary colonoscopies and focus surveillance on those most likely to benefit.
How similar studies have performed: Previous evidence is limited and mixed, so this question about the added value of surveillance in older adults remains uncertain.
Where this research is happening
San Diego, United States
- VA San Diego Healthcare System — San Diego, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gupta, Samir — VA San Diego Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Gupta, Samir
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.