Table 2. Clinical characteristics and procedural history of patients seen with the primary complaint of rectal bleeding (n = 528).

Characteristics	Frequency (# of patients)	Percentage (%)
Demographics
Men	238	45.1
Women	290	54.9
Duration of bleed
Up to 1 week	92	17.4
> 1 week up to 1 month	70	13.3
> 1 month up to 6 months	117	22.2
> 6 months up to 1 year	60	11.4
> 1 year	94	17.8
Quality of bleeding
On tissue paper only	88	16.7
Dripping in bowl	153	29.0
Coating the stool	106	20.1
Mixed with stool	69	13.1
Quality of bowel preparation
Poor/incomplete	69	13.1
Moderate	101	19.2
Satisfactory/complete	355	67.6
Missing/no documentation	3	0.6
FS completion
Yes	499	94.5
No	28	5.3
Need for follow-up
Yes	109	20.6
No	415	78.6
Need for additional tests
Yes	115	21.8
Colonoscopy	19	3.6
No	408	77.3

FS, flexible sigmoidoscopy