The Value of Colonoscopy in Assessing Rectal Bleeding in Patients Referred From Outpatient Care Units in Erbil, Iraq

This study highlights the leading causes of LGIB as diagnosed through colonoscopy. The main causes and patterns of LGIB across gender and age groups in Erbil were generally similar to other settings but with some differences. Hemorrhoids caused the most rectal bleeding, followed by tumors and then inflammatory bowel disease. The older group had more cases of diverticulosis than the younger group. Although most findings were benign, colonoscopy should be strongly considered for outpatients (young and old) with nonurgent rectal bleeding.