TABLE 1.
Baseline subject characteristics among subjects with (cases) and without (noncases) rectal/colon polyps (The Adventist Health Study, California, 1976–2002)
| Characteristic | Cases (n = 441) | Noncases (n = 2,377) | P Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age (mean ± SD) | 73.4 ± 9.2 | 71.2 ± 9.7 | <.01 |
| Body mass index (kg/m2) | |||
| ≤23.2 | 39.8% | 50.1% | <.01 |
| 23.3–≤ 25.8 | 31.8% | 26.3% | |
| 25.9 + | 28.4% | 23.6% | |
| Gender | |||
| Female | 52.2% | 61.2% | <.01 |
| Male | 47.8% | 38.8% | |
| Family history (1st degree) of CRC | |||
| Yes | 9.7% | 5.0% | <.01 |
| No | 90.3% | 95.0% | |
| Education | |||
| ≤High school | 14.8% | 15.8% | .73 |
| Some college | 39.6% | 40.6% | |
| College graduate + | 45.6% | 43.6% | |
| Physical activity | |||
| None | 32.4% | 26.9% | .07 |
| Low | 12.7% | 15.9% | |
| Moderate | 18.1% | 20.0% | |
| Vigorous | 36.8% | 37.2% | |
| Alcohol | |||
| Never | 90.8% | 93.5% | .04 |
| Ever | 9.2% | 6.5% | |
| Smoking | |||
| Never | 83.3% | 85.5% | .22 |
| Ever | 16.7% | 14.5% | |
| Constipation | |||
| Never | 8.8% | 8.5% | .79 |
| Ever | 91.2% | 91.5% | |
| Pain medication | |||
| Never | 96.3% | 97.1% | .38 |
| Ever | 3.7% | 2.9% | |
| Aspirin use | |||
| Noncurrent | 84.1% | 82.1% | .34 |
| 1+/wk | 15.9% | 17.9% | |
| Multivitamin | |||
| Never | 58.3% | 59.7% | .59 |
| Ever | 41.7% | 40.3% | |