ObjectiveTo understand the prevalence of anorectal diseases in the elderly in the community, and to evaluate the role of electronic rectosigmoidoscope in the screening of anorectal diseases.MethodThe resident population aged 60–74 in the Xichang’an Street Area of Xicheng District of Beijing were collected to complete the initial screening by filling in the risk factor assessment questionnaire, and who were classified as the high-risk with positive initial screening were admitted to the diagnostic re-screening by electronic rectosigmoidoscope.ResultsThere were 4 782 screening subjects, while 4 347 people actually participated in the initial screening, and 2 997 people were positive (positive rate was 68.9%). Among them, 2 312 participated in the electronic rectosigmoidoscope screening, and the compliance rate was 77.1%. A total of 2 275 patients with various anorectal diseases were detected by electronic rectosigmoidoscope, 1 311 (56.7%) of whom were hemorrhoids, 458 (19.8%) were rectal polyps, 154 (6.7%) were anal papillary hypertrophy, 147 (6.4%) were proctitis, 103 (4.4%) were anal fissure, 52 (2.2%) were anal fistula , 33 (1.4%) were rectal melanoma , and 17 (0.7%) were suspected rectal cancer. The detection rates of rectal polyps, proctitis, and anal fistula in the men were higher than those in the women (P<0.05), while the detection rates of hemorrhoids, anal papilla hypertrophy, anal fissure, and rectal melanosis in the women were higher than those in the men (P<0.05).ConclusionsAs a screening tool, electronic rectosigmoidoscope has the characteristics of simple operation, good compliance of the subject, and high compliance rate for re-screening. It is suitable for large-scale screening of anorectal diseases for elderly residents in the community.