Bowel preparation quality scales for colonoscopy

Superior bowel preparation quality for colonoscopy with 1L-PEG compared to 2L-PEG and picosulphate: Data from a large real-world retrospective outpatient cohort

BACKGROUND

Several randomized clinical trials comparing different bowel preparations (BP) have shown similar efficacy; however, there is a lack of real-world studies on this topic.

AIMS

This study aims to identify the most effective BP regimen in a real-world setting and any predictors of inadequate BP.

METHODS

A retrospective single-center study was conducted over 14 months at an academic hospital including outpatient colonoscopies in which adult patients did not teach on how to perform BP before colonoscopy. Colonoscopies with 1L-PEG, 2L-PEG and picosulphate mixtures were considered. A multivariable analysis for factors associated to poor BP was fitted.

RESULTS

Overall, 1779 patients (51 %F, 60±14) years were included. The 1L-PEG regimen provided a higher rate of BP adequacy at multivariate analysis (adjusted OR 2.30, 95 %CI 1.67-3.16,p < 0.001) and was associated with higher median Boston Bowel Preparation Scale score (p < 0.001), higher rate of right-colon cleansing (p < 0.001) and exam completion (p = 0.04). Furthermore, we identified male sex, history of constipation, active smoking, previous pelvic surgery, concomitant psychiatric/neurological or chronic kidney diseases as predictors of inadequate BP.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the largest real-world study comparing 1L-PEG to other BP regimens. Our results suggest 1L-PEG provides better BP in a non-controlled setting, improving clinical practice quality and minimizing the need for repeated colonoscopies and saving healthcare resources.

Editorial: Advancing care in Crohn's disease-Time to standardise bowel preparation scales

This article is linked to Solitano et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18210 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18288

Performance of bowel preparation quality scales in patients with Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

The performance of bowel preparation (BP) in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) is unknown.

AIMS

To evaluate the operating properties of instruments used to assess BP quality in patients with CD.

METHODS

We used the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale, modified Boston Bowel Preparation Scale, Harefield Cleansing Scale, Food and Drug Administration Bowel Cleansing Assessment Scale (BCAS), and a 100-mm visual analogue scale of bowel cleanliness to assess BP quality in 50 videos from 40 patients with CD. We assessed endoscopic activity with the Simple Endoscopic Score for CD (SES-CD). Assessments were on endoscope insertion and withdrawal. Reliability was quantified using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). We assessed validity by within-patient correlation between instruments and the visual analogue scale using mixed-effect models. The correlation between BP quality and SES-SD scores was assessed using Spearman's rho.

RESULTS

Inter- and intra-rater reliability for all BP quality instruments was substantial (ICC ≥0.61) except for the Food and Drug Administration BCAS on insertion (inter-rater reliability ICC ≥0.41). The visual analogue scale had substantial inter- and almost perfect (ICC ≥0.81) intra-rater reliability. Correlation coefficients for the validity of the instruments exceeded 0.58. BP quality and endoscopic disease activity scores in the colon were negatively correlated.

CONCLUSION

Most existing instruments reliably assess BP quality in patients with CD. These results support the use of these instruments in clinical practice, provide a framework for scoring BP quality in CD clinical trials, and support evaluation of novel BP agents in patients with CD.

Bowel preparation after mid-gut tubing enhanced the efficacy and compliance of magnetic resonance enterography in Crohn's disease: a randomized controlled trial

Background

Magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) has become a routine intestinal imaging examination for Crohn's disease (CD). Sufficient bowel preparation is fundamental for MRE.

Objectives

To compare the efficacy and compliance of bowel preparation between through a mid-gut tube and oral administration for MRE in CD.

Design

This was an open-label, prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial.

Methods

Eligible patients were randomized at a 1:1 ratio into an oral group (bowel preparation by oral administration) and a tubing group (bowel preparation through a mid-gut tube). Bowel preparation for MRE included bowel cleaning and bowel distention. The primary outcomes were the degree of discomfort and grade of bowel distention. The secondary outcomes were diagnostic accuracy rate through MRE, mental stress, and bowel preparation method preference.

Results

A total of 95 CD patients were included in the final analysis. Subjects in the tubing group complained of less vomiting during bowel preparation than those in the oral group (p < 0.05). The degree of nausea and bloating during bowel cleaning for MRE was lower in the tubing group than in the oral group (all p < 0.05). The distention grade was higher in the tubing group compared to the oral group in the splenic flexure of the colon and rectosigmoid colon. The tubing group demonstrated a higher overall diagnostic sensitivity in ulcers compared to the oral group (p = 0.048). Additionally, bowel preparation via the mid-gut tube ameliorated mental stress (p = 0.020) and increased bowel preparation preference (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Bowel preparation through the mid-gut tube enhanced the efficacy and compliance for MRE in CD. This study highlighted the concept of physician-patient satisfaction using mid-gut tube for proper bowel preparation for MRE, enteral nutrition and microbial therapy.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03541733, registered 5 May 2018.

Application of linaclotide in bowel preparation for colonoscopy in patients with constipation: A prospective randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Colonoscopy plays a crucial role in the early diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer. Adequate bowel preparation is essential for clear visualization of the colonic mucosa and lesion detection. However, inadequate bowel preparation is common in patients with constipation, and there is no standardized preparation protocol for these patients. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness and tolerability of a pre-colonoscopy combination regimen of linaclotide and polyethylene glycol (PEG).

METHODS

In this prospective, single-center, randomized controlled trial, 322 participants were divided into two groups: a 3-L PEG + 870-μg linaclotide group (administered as a single dose for 3 days) and a 4-L PEG group. The primary endpoints were the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) score and the rate of adequate and excellent bowel preparation. Secondary endpoints were the rates of detection of colonic adenomas and polyps, cecal intubation rates, colonoscopy time, adverse reactions, patient satisfaction, and physician satisfaction.

RESULTS

The study included 319 patients. The 3-L PEG + linaclotide group showed significantly higher rates of adequate and excellent bowel preparation than the 4-L PEG group (89.4% vs 73.6% and 37.5% vs 25.3%, respectively; P < 0.05). The mean BBPS score for the right colon in the 3-L PEG + linaclotide group was significantly higher than that in the 4-L PEG group. There were no significant between-group differences regarding the detection rates of colonic polyps and adenomas (44.4% vs 37.7% and 23.1% vs 20.1%, respectively; P > 0.05). There were no significant between-group differences regarding cecal intubation rates, colonoscopy operation, and withdrawal times. However, patient tolerance and sleep quality were better in the 3-L PEG + linaclotide group.

CONCLUSION

The combination of 3-L PEG and 870-μg linaclotide, because of its lower volume of intake, can be considered as an alternative bowel preparation regimen for constipated patients undergoing colonoscopy, especially for the elderly.

Comparison of Synergistic Sedation with Midazolam and Propofol Versus Midazolam and Pethidine in Colonoscopies: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Study

Colonoscopy is a key procedure for the early detection of colorectal cancer. Despite its importance, the discomfort associated with colonoscopy often requires sedation, and the ideal sedation regimen remains to be determined. In this prospective randomized controlled trial, patients scheduled for colonoscopy were randomly assigned to two different sedation protocols. Group A received a combination of midazolam and propofol, while group B was given midazolam and pethidine. The study analyzed data from 51 patients, with 23 in group A and 28 in group B. The incidence of adverse events was similar across both groups. Additionally, no significant differences were observed in cecal intubation times or total procedure durations. Notably, group A had a lower frequency of required postural changes (1.0±.7 vs. 1.5±0.7, p=0.02) and a reduced rate of manual compression (52.2% vs. 82.1%, p=0.02). There were no significant differences between the groups regarding subjective pain or overall satisfaction. Both sedation regimens were found to be safe and effective. The midazolam and propofol combination was associated with a smoother procedure, evidenced by fewer postural adjustments and less manual compression needed during colonoscopy.

Segmental colitis associated with diverticulosis (SCAD) in a colorectal cancer screening population: Prevalence, endoscopic features and oncological outcomes

BACKGROUND

Segmental colitis associated with diverticulosis (SCAD) is characterized by a chronic inflammatory response involving the inter-diverticular colonic mucosa, sparing the rectum and the right colon.

AIMS

to assess the prevalence of SCAD in a CRC screening program and to evaluate the differences in terms of oncological outcomes between SCAD and diverticulosis.

METHODS

retrospective analysis from a prospectively-maintained database including all subjects undergoing first screening colonoscopy.

RESULTS

1518 patients were included (51.8 % male, mean age 63.48 ± 6.39). Adenomas were detected in 638 patients (ADR 42 %), CRC was diagnosed in 5.7 %. Diverticulosis was described in 37.5 %, while SCAD in 4.5 %. Among them, 69.6 % presented crescentic-fold disease, 20.3 % mild-to-moderate UC-like pattern, 8.7 % CD-like pattern and 1.4 % severe UC-like pattern. When SCAD was compared to uncomplicated/asymptomatic diverticulosis (501 patients), we found no differences in terms of gender (p = 0.46) or age (p = 0.47). Interestingly, the use of anticoagulant/antiplatelet (p = 0.79), anti-hypertensive (p = 0.89) or anti-hyperglycaemic drugs (p = 0.52) had no effect on SCAD onset as compared to diverticulosis. SCAD patients had significant lower rate of adenomas (ADR 31.9% vs 47.3 %, p = 0.018, OR 0.52, 95 %CI 0.31-0.89), and lower-but not significant-rate of CRC (1.4% vs 6.2 %, p = 0.14, OR 0.22, 95 %CI 0.02-1.66).

CONCLUSIONS

SCAD can be diagnosed in about 5 % of population undergoing screening colonoscopy and in 12 % of those with diverticulosis. SCAD seems to be associated with a reduced rate of adenomas or CRC as compared with diverticulosis.

Effectiveness of a Mobile Health Application for Educating Outpatients about Bowel Preparation

Colonoscopy is an essential method for diagnosing and treating colorectal cancer, relying on effective bowel preparation to thoroughly examine the large intestinal mucosa. Traditional education involves printed instructions and verbal explanations but does not guarantee clear patient understanding. Poor bowel preparation can obscure mucosal visibility, delaying cancer diagnosis and treatment. A mobile medical model using Android devices for bowel preparation education was tested in a single-blind, randomized trial. This trial enrolled outpatients undergoing colonoscopy at the Endoscopy Center for Diagnostic and Treatment between 27 October 2021 and 31 December 2022. This study introduced the ColonClean app alongside traditional methods. After examination, endoscopists rated the preparation quality using the Aronchick scale. A data analysis was conducted using SPSS 25.0 to determine if there was a significant improvement in bowel preparation quality between the control group (traditional method) and the experimental group (traditional method plus the ColonClean app). Forty patients were recruited in each group. In the experimental group, all ratings were "fair", with 75% receiving an "excellent" or "good" rating, showing statistical significance (p = 0.016). The ColonClean app improves bowel preparation quality more effectively than traditional care instructions.

Measuring Size of Colorectal Polyps Using a Virtual Scale Endoscope or Visual Assessment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to compare the accuracy of polyp size measurements using a virtual scale endoscope (VSE) with an integrated laser-based adaptive scale function and visual assessment (VA) during colonoscopies.

METHODS

We conducted a single-blinded, prospective randomized controlled trial. Eligible patients (aged 45-80 years) undergoing screening, surveillance, or diagnostic colonoscopies were randomly assigned (1:1) into 2 groups. In the intervention group, all detected polyps were measured for size using VSE; in the control group, all polyps were measured using VA. Size measurements were compared with a reference standard of digital caliper measurement immediately post polypectomy. The primary outcome was the relative accuracy of real-time VSE measurement compared with VA. Secondary outcomes included the mean differences and the correlations between VSE or VA sizes and the reference standard of measurement.

RESULTS

Overall, 230 patients were enrolled and randomized. The relative size measurement accuracy of VSE was 84% in 118 polyps, which was significantly higher than that of VA (105 polyps; 68.4%, P < 0.001). VSE resulted in a significantly higher percentage of size measurements within 25% of true size compared with VA (81.4% vs 41%, P < 0.001). VSE had a significantly lower percentage for >5-mm polyps incorrectly sized as 1-5 mm compared with VA (13.5% vs 57.1%; P < 0.001) and a significantly lower percentage for >3-mm polyps incorrectly sized as 1-3 mm compared with VA (11.3% vs 56.5%; P < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

VSE significantly improves the size measurement accuracy of colorectal polyps during colonoscopies compared with VA and results in fewer misclassifications at relevant decision-making size thresholds.

Decoding long non‑coding RNAs: Friends and foes in cancer development (Review)

Cancer remains a formidable adversary, challenging medical advancements with its dismal prognosis, low cure rates and high mortality rates. Within this intricate landscape, long non‑coding RNAs (lncRNAs) emerge as pivotal players, orchestrating proliferation and migration of cancer cells. Harnessing the potential of lncRNAs as therapeutic targets and prognostic markers holds immense promise. The present comprehensive review delved into the molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of lncRNAs in the onset and progression of the top five types of cancer. By meticulously examining lncRNAs across diverse types of cancer, it also uncovered their distinctive roles, highlighting their exclusive oncogenic effects or tumor suppressor properties. Notably, certain lncRNAs demonstrate diverse functions across different cancers, confounding the conventional understanding of their roles. Furthermore, the present study identified lncRNAs exhibiting aberrant expression patterns in numerous types of cancer, presenting them as potential indicators for cancer screening and diagnosis. Conversely, a subset of lncRNAs manifests tissue‑specific expression, hinting at their specialized nature and untapped significance in diagnosing and treating specific types of cancer. The present comprehensive review not only shed light on the intricate network of lncRNAs but also paved the way for further research and clinical applications. The unraveled molecular mechanisms offer a promising avenue for targeted therapeutics and personalized medicine, combating cancer proliferation, invasion and metastasis.

Clinical characteristics of symptomatic young patients with colonic adenomas

Background

The incidence of colonic adenomas and colorectal cancer has been on the rise among young patients. In this study, we aimed to describe the characteristics of young patients (<50 years) with adenomatous polyps and to characterize those polyps. We also aimed to determine appropriate surveillance intervals for young patients.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of patients <50 years of age who had polypectomy of 1 or more adenomatous polyps on colonoscopy between 2008 and 2021. Patient demographics, colonoscopy indication and polyp characteristics were obtained from the chart. Timing and findings on surveillance colonoscopies were recorded.

Results

A total of 610 patients were included: mean age 42.9±5.9 years, 61% males, body mass index 27.5±4.7 kg/m2, and over 50% smokers. The most common indications were abdominal pain (23.3%), rectal bleeding (22.3%), and change in bowel habits (17.6%). Almost half of the patients who had adenomas (299) were younger than 45 years. Tubular adenoma was the most frequently encountered type of polyp (571; 93.6%). Mean polyp size was 1.1±0.9 cm. The most common location of adenomas was the sigmoid colon (41%). Of patients with adenomas, 156 (26%) had surveillance colonoscopy within 2.9±2.3 years; 74 patients (47.4%) were found to have new adenomas.

Conclusions

Patients aged <50 years with colonic adenomas were mostly males, overweight, and smokers. Further adenomas were found in 47% of surveillance colonoscopies, and most were encountered within 5 years. High rates of recurrent adenomas in people <50 years of age may warrant frequent surveillance.

Split doses versus whole dose bowel preparation using polyethylene glycol for colonoscopy: A multicentric prospective Lebanese randomized trial between 2021 and 2023

Background and Aims

Bowel preparation is considered as major obstacle before colonoscopy, and it is often reported as the most feared part of the procedure. The aim of this study is to determine the difference in efficacy between a split dose of PEG and the previous day regimen in cleaning the colon, using Boston bowel preparation scale. In addition, also to evaluate patient satisfaction regarding the modality of preparation.

Methods

The study included 200 hospitalized patients undergoing colonoscopy at Beirut hospitals between 2021 and 2023. One of the two regimens will be prescribed randomly to the patients before colonoscopy: 98 (49%) in Group A (patients treated with PEG preparation as a split dose for 2 days), and 102 (51%) in Group B (patients taking PEG preparation as a whole dose). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.

Results

Patients were distributed between 105 (52.5%) males and 95 (47.5%) females. The top two indications for colonoscopy were bleeding (34%), change in bowel habits (constipation/diarrhea) (32%). Patients experienced adverse events noting cramps (48.5%), stomach ache (32%), headache (31%), vomiting (53%), nausea (53%), sleep disturbance (27%), bloating (26.5%), and malaise (26%). A statistically significant difference (p = 0.040) was detected in sleep disturbance: 20.4% of patients in group A and 33.3% of patients in group B. The average satisfaction score was 3.02 ± 1.03 over 4 (Group A) and 3.04 ± 0.99 over 4 (Group B) (p = 0.896). The average BBPS was 8.07 ± 1.14 (Group A) and 8.28 ± 1.0 (Group B) (p = 0.162).

Conclusion

The two administrations were almost similar in term of satisfaction and BBPS. As multiple factors like age, sexe, comorbidities may contribute in altering how much a given drug is safe and efficace, more research is needed to choose the best 3regimen for each patient.

Application of the convolution neural network in determining the depth of invasion of gastrointestinal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

With the development of endoscopic technology, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been widely used in the treatment of gastrointestinal tumors. It is necessary to evaluate the depth of tumor invasion before the application of ESD. The convolution neural network (CNN) is a type of artificial intelligence that has the potential to assist in the classification of the depth of invasion in endoscopic images. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the performance of CNN in determining the depth of invasion of gastrointestinal tumors.

METHODS

A search on PubMed, Web of Science, and SinoMed was performed to collect the original publications about the use of CNN in determining the depth of invasion of gastrointestinal neoplasms. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were calculated using an exact binominal rendition of the bivariate mixed-effects regression model. I2 was used for the evaluation of heterogeneity.

RESULTS

A total of 17 articles were included; the pooled sensitivity was 84% (95% CI, 0.81-0.88), specificity was 91% (95% CI, 0.85-0.94), and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.93 (95% CI, 0.90-0.95). The performance of CNN was significantly better than that of endoscopists (AUC: 0.93 vs 0.83, respectively; P = .0005).

CONCLUSION

Our review revealed that CNN is one of the most effective methods of endoscopy to evaluate the depth of invasion of early gastrointestinal tumors, which has the potential to work as a remarkable tool for clinical endoscopists to make decisions on whether the lesion is feasible for endoscopic treatment.

The Effects of Combined Use of Linaclotide and Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Powder in Colonoscopy Preparation for Patients With Chronic Constipation

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of linaclotide and polyethylene glycol (PEG) electrolyte powder in patients with chronic constipation undergoing colonoscopy preparation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We included 260 patients with chronic constipation who were scheduled to undergo a colonoscopy. They were equally divided into 4 groups using a random number table: 4L PEG, 3L PEG, 3L PEG+L, and 2L PEG+L. The 4 groups were compared based on their scores on the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) and Ottawa Bowel Preparation Quality Scale (OBPQS), adverse reactions during the bowel preparation procedure, colonoscope insertion time, colonoscope withdrawal time, detection rate of adenomas, and their willingness to repeat bowel preparation.

RESULTS

In terms of the score of the right half of the colon, the score of the transverse colon, the total score using BBPS, and the total score using OBPQS, the 3L PEG (polyethylene glycol)+L group was superior to groups 3L PEG and 2L PEG+L ( P <0.05), but comparable to the 4L PEG group ( P >0.05). The incidence rate of vomiting was higher in the 4L PEG group than in the 2L PEG+L group ( P <0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the insertion time of the colonoscope between the 4 groups. The colonoscope withdrawal time in the 3L PEG+L group was shorter than in groups 4L PEG and 3L PEG ( P <0.05) and comparable to that in the 4L PEG group ( P >0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of adenoma detection among the 4 groups ( P >0.05). The 4L PEG group was the least willing of the 4 groups to undergo repeated bowel preparation ( P <0.05).

CONCLUSION

The 3L PEG+L is optimal among the 4 procedures. It can facilitate high-quality bowel preparation, reduce the incidence of nausea during the bowel preparation procedure, and encourage patients to undertake repeated bowel preparation.

Effect of Body Mass Index on Cecal Intubation Time During Unsedated Colonoscopy: Variation Across the Learning Stages of an Endoscopist

BACKGROUND Body mass index (BMI) and endoscopists' experiences can be associated with cecal intubation time (CIT), but such associations are controversial. This study aimed to clarify the association between BMI and CIT during unsedated colonoscopy at 3 learning stages of a single endoscopist. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 1500 consecutive patients undergoing unsedated colonoscopy by 1 endoscopist at our department from December 11, 2020, to August 21, 2022, were reviewed. They were divided into 3 learning stages according to the number of colonoscopies performed by 1 endoscopist, including intermediate (501-1000 colonoscopies), experienced (1001-1500 colonoscopies), and senior stages (1501-2000 colonoscopies). Variables that significantly correlated with CIT were identified by Spearman rank correlation analyses and then included in multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS Overall, 1233 patients were included. Among them, 392, 420, and 421 patients were divided into intermediate, experienced, and senior stages, respectively. Median CIT was 7.83, 6.38, and 5.58 min at intermediate, experienced, and senior stages, respectively (P.

Artificial intelligence-assisted real-time monitoring of effective withdrawal time during colonoscopy: a novel quality marker of colonoscopy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The importance of withdrawal time during colonoscopy cannot be overstated in mitigating the risk of missed lesions and postcolonoscopy colorectal cancer. We evaluated a novel colonoscopy quality metric called the effective withdrawal time (EWT), which is an artificial intelligence (AI)-derived quantitative measure of quality withdrawal time, and its association with various colonic lesion detection rates as compared with standard withdrawal time (SWT).

METHODS

Three hundred fifty video recordings of colonoscopy withdrawal (from the cecum to the anus) were assessed by the new AI model. The primary outcome was adenoma detection rate (ADR) according to different quintiles of EWT. Multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for baseline covariates, was used to determine the adjusted odd ratios (ORs) for EWT on lesion detection rates, with the lowest quintile as reference. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of EWT was compared with SWT.

RESULTS

The crude ADR in different quintiles of EWT, from lowest to highest, was 10.0%, 31.4%, 33.3%, 53.5%, and 85.7%. The ORs of detecting adenomas and polyps were significantly higher in all top 4 quintiles when compared with the lowest quintile. Each minute increase in EWT was associated with a 49% increase in ADR (aOR, 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36-1.65). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of EWT was also significantly higher than SWT on adenoma detection (.80 [95% CI, .75-.84] vs .70 [95% CI, .64-.74], P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

AI-derived monitoring of EWT is a promising novel quality indicator for colonoscopy, which is more associated with ADR than SWT.

The status quo of short videos as a source of health information regarding bowel preparation before colonoscopy

Background

For high-quality colonoscopies, adequate bowel preparation is a prerequisite, closely associated with the diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic safety of colonoscopy. Although popular-science short videos can help people quickly access health information, the overall quality of such short videos as a source of health information regarding bowel preparation before colonoscopy is unclear. Therefore, we intend to conduct a cross-sectional study to investigate the quality of bowel preparation information before colonoscopy through short videos taken on TikTok and Bilibili.

Methods

The Chinese phrases "colonoscopy" and "bowel preparation" were used as keywords to search for and screen the top 100 videos in the comprehensive rankings on TikTok and Bilibili. The Global Quality Score (GQS) and the modified DISCERN score were used to assess the quality of the information provided in these short videos.

Results

A total of 186 short videos were included in this study; 56.5% of them were posted by health professionals, whereas 43.5% of them were posted by nonhealth professionals. The overall quality of these videos was unsatisfactory, with a median DISCERN score of 3 (2-4) and a median GQS of 3 (3-4). The radar maps showed that videos posted by gastroenterologists had higher completeness scores regarding outcomes, management, and risk factors, while nongastroenterologists had higher completeness scores concerning adverse effects, symptoms, and definitions of bowel preparation. Additionally, the median DISCERN score and GQS of the videos posted by gastroenterologists were 3 (3-4) and 3 (3-4), respectively, whereas the quality of the videos posted by patients was the worst, with a median DISCERN score of 2 (1-2) and a median GQS of 2 (1.25-3).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the overall quality of health information-related videos on bowel preparation before colonoscopy posted on specified short video platforms was not satisfactory. Gastroenterologists provide more information on the outcomes, management, and risk factors for bowel preparation before colonoscopy, while nongastroenterologists focus on adverse effects, symptoms, and definitions of bowel preparation.

Efficacy and safety of oral sulfate tablet vs. polyethylene glycol and ascorbate for bowel preparation in children

Background and aim

Bowel preparation for pediatric colonoscopy presents several challenges. However, no bowel preparation regimen is universally preferred for children. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of oral sulfate tablet (OST) in pediatric bowel preparation.

Methods

This study retrospectively analyzed data from children who received 2l of polyethylene glycol and ascorbate (PEG/Asc) or OST for bowel preparation between 2021 and 2023. A comparative analysis was conducted between the two groups.

Results

A total of 146 patients were included (2l PEG/Asc: 115, 73.0% vs. OST: 31). No significant difference was observed in the total BBPS score (median 8.0 vs. 8.0, P = 0.152) and the total OBPS score (median 5.0 vs. 3.0, P = 0.152) between the two groups. No significant difference was noted in the ratio of a bubble score of 0 (73.0% vs. 93.5%, P = 0.132). The incidence of abdominal pain was significantly lower in the OST group (32.2% vs. 3.2%, P = 0.002). The VAS score for overall satisfaction was significantly higher in the OST group (4.0 vs. 7.0, P < 0.001). For the next colonoscopy bowel preparation, a higher proportion of patients in the OST group showed a willingness to use the same preparation regimen (33.9% vs. 83.9%, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

OST was as efficacious and safe as 2 L of PEG/Asc for pediatric bowel preparation. The satisfaction level was higher with OST than with 2 L of PEG/Asc. OST may be considered a good alternative for children with poor compliance during bowel preparation.

Excellent Bowel Preparation Quality Is Not Superior to Good Bowel Preparation Quality for Improving Adenoma/Polyp Detection Rate

Background

Adequate bowel preparation quality is essential for high-quality colonoscopy according to the current guidelines. However, the excellent effect of bowel preparation on adenoma/polyp detection rate (ADR/PDR) remained controversial.

Methods

During the period from December 2020 to August 2022, a total of 1566 consecutive patients underwent colonoscopy by an endoscopist. Their medical records were reviewed. According to the Boston bowel preparation scale, patients were divided into excellent, good, and poor bowel preparation quality groups. ADR/PDR, diminutive ADR/PDR, small ADR/PDR, intermediate ADR/PDR, large ADR/PDR, and number of adenomas/polyps were compared among them. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the factors that were significantly associated with ADR/PDR.

Results

Overall, 1232 patients were included, of whom 463, 636, and 133 were assigned to the excellent, good, and poor groups, respectively. The good group had a significantly higher ADR/PDR (63% vs 55%, P = .015) and a larger number of adenomas/polyps (2.5 ± 3.2 vs 2.0 ± 2.8, P = .030) than the poor group. Both ADR/PDR (63% vs 55%, P = .097) and number of adenomas/polyps (2.2 ± 2.8 vs 2.0 ± 2.8, P = .219) were not significantly different between excellent and poor groups. The excellent (9% vs 4%, P = .045) and good (9% vs 4%, P = .040) groups had a significantly higher intermediate ADR/PDR than the poor group. Logistic regression analyses showed that either good (odds ratio [OR] = 1.786, 95% CI = 1.046-3.047, P = .034) or excellent (OR = 2.179, 95% CI = 1.241-3.826, P = .007) bowel preparation quality was independently associated with a higher ADR/PDR compared with poor bowel preparation quality. Excellent (OR = 1.202, 95% CI = 0.848-1.704, P = .302) bowel preparation quality was not independently associated with a higher ADR/PDR compared with good bowel preparation quality.

Conclusions

The pursuit of excellence in bowel preparation does not show an association with increased ADR/PDR and number of adenomas/polyps compared with a good level. In addition, our study further contributes to the existing evidence that poor bowel preparation compromises ADR/PDR and number of adenomas/polyps.

Feasibility of Colorectal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection in Elderly Patients: The Impact of Sarcopenia

INTRODUCTION

Colorectal cancer is a public health concern associated with high incidence rates. Sarcopenia is a known risk factor for postoperative complications, although an association between increased complications after colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and sarcopenia remains undocumented. Herein, we aimed to explore the feasibility of colorectal ESD in patients with sarcopenia.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 499 patients (69 with and 430 without sarcopenia). We evaluated the short- and long-term outcomes of colorectal ESD.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding en bloc, R0, or curative resection rates. However, poor bowel preparation was significantly more common in the sarcopenia group. Moreover, patients with sarcopenia exhibited a significant increase in complications (37.7% vs. 10.5%). Multivariate analysis revealed that sarcopenia (odds ratio [OR]: 3.78, 95% confidence interval [Cl]: 1.85-7.73, p < 0.001), anticoagulation therapy (OR: 3.59, 95% Cl: 1.86-6.92, p < 0.001), procedure time (OR: 1.28, 95% Cl: 1.11-1.47, p < 0.001), and resection size (OR: 1.25, 95% Cl: 1.03-1.52, p = 0.02) were significantly correlated with the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) ≥ grade 2. The correlation between sarcopenia and CTCAE ≥ grade 2 was maintained after matching, resulting in more extended hospital stays in patients with sarcopenia. However, we detected no association between sarcopenia and overall survival and ESD-related death.

CONCLUSION

Sarcopenia is a risk factor for complications in colorectal ESD, suggesting that colorectal ESD could be performed for patients with sarcopenia, although much caution should be taken.

Assessing Guidelines on the Need for Colonoscopy After Initial Flexible Sigmoidoscopy in Young Patients With Outlet-Type Rectal Bleeding

BACKGROUND

Although young-age-of-onset colorectal cancer is increasing in incidence, lack of screening leads to symptomatic presentation, often with rectal bleeding. Because most cancers in patients younger than 50 years are left-sided, flexible sigmoidoscopy is a reasonable way of investigating bleeding in these patients.

OBJECTIVE

To predict which patients undergoing flexible sigmoidoscopy for outlet-type rectal bleeding need a full colonoscopy.

DESIGN

Findings at colonoscopy were compared with published indications for colonoscopy after flexible sigmoidoscopy, which were as follows: 1) any number of advanced adenomas defined as a tubular adenoma of >9 mm diameter, a tubulovillous or villous adenoma of any size, or any adenoma with high-grade dysplasia; 2) 3 or more tubular adenomas of any size or histology; 3) any sessile serrated lesion; and 4) 20 or more hyperplastic polyps.

SETTING

Charity Hospital with volunteer specialists.

PATIENTS

Patients were included if they were younger than 57 years, had outlet-type rectal bleeding, and underwent flexible sigmoidoscopy at least to the descending colon followed by colonoscopy with biopsy of all resected lesions.

INTERVENTIONS

Flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy with excision of all removable lesions.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Findings at colonoscopy.

RESULTS

There were 66 patients who had a colonoscopy between 5 and 811 days after sigmoidoscopy and also had complete data. There were 43 men and 23 women with a mean age of 39.5 years. Analysis of flexible sigmoidoscopy criteria for finding proximal high-risk lesions on colonoscopy showed a sensitivity of 76.9%, a specificity of 67.9%, a positive predictive value of 37%, a negative predictive value of 92.3%, and an accuracy of 69.7%.

LIMITATIONS

A large number of exclusions for inadequate colonoscopy or inadequate data resulted in a reduced patient number in the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Our criteria for follow-up colonoscopy based on the findings at initial flexible sigmoidoscopy in young patients with outlet-type rectal bleeding are reliable enough to be used in routine clinical practice, provided this is audited. See Video Abstract.

GUA DE EVALUACIN PARA LA NECESIDAD DE COLONOSCOPIA DESPUS DE UNA SIGMOIDOSCOPIA FLEXIBLE INICIAL EN PACIENTES JVENES CON RECTORRAGIA

ANTECEDENTES:Si bien la edad de aparición temprana del cáncer colorrectal está aumentando en incidencia, la falta de pruebas de detección conduce a una presentación sintomática, a menudo con sangrado rectal. Debido a que la mayoría de los cánceres en pacientes menores de 50 años son del lado izquierdo, la sigmoidoscopia flexible es una forma razonable de investigar el sangrado en estos pacientes.OBJETIVO:Predecir qué pacientes sometidos a sigmoidoscopia flexible por rectorragia necesitan una colonoscopia completa.DISEÑO:Los resultados de la colonoscopia se compararon con las indicaciones publicadas para la colonoscopia después de una sigmoidoscopia flexible. Estos fueron: 1. Cualquier número de adenomas avanzados, definidos como un adenoma tubular > 9 mm, un adenoma tubulovelloso o velloso de cualquier tamaño, o cualquier adenoma con displasia de alto grado. 2. Tres o más adenomas tubulares de cualquier tamaño o histología. 3. Cualquier lesión serrada sésil. 4. Veinte o más pólipos hiperplásicos.ENTORNO CLINICO:Hospital de Caridad con especialistas voluntarios.PACIENTES:Menores de 57 años, con rectorragia, sometidos a sigmoidoscopia flexible al menos hasta el colon descendente, seguida de colonoscopia con biopsia de todas las lesiones resecadas.INTERVENCIONES:sigmoidoscopia flexible y colonoscopia con escisión de todas las lesiones removibles.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE VALORACIÓN:Hallazgos en la colonoscopia.RESULTADOS:66 casos a los que se les realizó una colonoscopia entre 5 y 811 días después de la sigmoidoscopia, que también tenían datos completos. 43 hombres y 23 mujeres con una edad media de 39,5 años. El análisis de los criterios de sigmoidoscopia flexible para encontrar lesiones proximales de alto riesgo en la colonoscopia mostró una sensibilidad del 76,9 %, una especificidad del 67,9 %, un valor predictivo positivo del 37 %, un valor predictivo negativo del 92,3 % y una precisión del 69,7 %.LIMITACIONES:Gran número de exclusiones por colonoscopia inadecuada o datos inadecuados que causan un número reducido de pacientes en el estudio.CONCLUSIÓN:Nuestros criterios para la colonoscopia de seguimiento basados en los hallazgos de la sigmoidoscopia flexible inicial en pacientes jóvenes con rectorragia son lo suficientemente confiables para ser utilizados en la práctica clínica habitual, siempre que se audite. (Traducción- Dr. Ingrid Melo ).

AN ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORD PREDICTION MODEL TO IDENTIFY INADEQUATE BOWEL PREPARATION IN PATIENTS AT OUTPATIENT COLONOSCOPY

Background and Aims

Inadequate bowel preparation during colonoscopy is associated with decreased adenoma detection, increased costs, and patient procedural risks. This study aimed to develop a prediction model for identifying patients at high risk of inadequate bowel preparation for potential clinical integration into the EMR.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted using outpatient screening/surveillance colonoscopies at the University of North Carolina (UNC) from 2017 to 2022. Data were extracted from the EMRs of Epic and ProVation, including demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical variables. Logistic regression, LASSO regression, and gradient boosting machine (GBM) models were evaluated and validated in a held-out testing set.

Results

The dataset included 23,456 colonoscopies, of which 6.25% had inadequate bowel preparation. The reduced LASSO regression model demonstrated an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.65 [95% CI 0.63-0.67] in the held-out testing set. The relative risk of inadequate bowel prep in the high-risk group determined by the model was 2.42 (95% CI 2.07-2.82), compared to patients identified as low risk. The model calibration in the testing set revealed that among patients categorized as having 0-11%, 11-22%, and 22-33% predicted risk of inadequate prep, the respective proportions of patients with inadequate prep were 5.5%, 19.3%, and 33.3%. Using the reduced LASSO model, a rudimentary code for a potential Epic FHIR application called PrepPredict was developed.

Conclusions

This study developed a prediction model for inadequate bowel preparation with the potential to integrate into the EMR for clinical use and optimize bowel preparation to improve patient care.

Development and validation of a three-dimensional deep learning-based system for assessing bowel preparation on colonoscopy video

Background

The performance of existing image-based training models in evaluating bowel preparation on colonoscopy videos was relatively low, and only a few models used external data to prove their generalization. Therefore, this study attempted to develop a more precise and stable AI system for assessing bowel preparation of colonoscopy video.

Methods

We proposed a system named ViENDO to assess the bowel preparation quality, including two CNNs. First, Information-Net was used to identify and filter out colonoscopy video frames unsuitable for Boston bowel preparation scale (BBPS) scoring. Second, BBPS-Net was trained and tested with 5,566 suitable short video clips through three-dimensional (3D) convolutional neural network (CNN) technology to detect BBPS-based insufficient bowel preparation. Then, ViENDO was applied to complete withdrawal colonoscopy videos from multiple centers to predict BBPS segment scores in clinical settings. We also conducted a human-machine contest to compare its performance with endoscopists.

Results

In video clips, BBPS-Net for determining inadequate bowel preparation generated an area under the curve of up to 0.98 and accuracy of 95.2%. When applied to full-length withdrawal colonoscopy videos, ViENDO assessed bowel cleanliness with an accuracy of 93.8% in the internal test set and 91.7% in the external dataset. The human-machine contest demonstrated that the accuracy of ViENDO was slightly superior compared to most endoscopists, though no statistical significance was found.

Conclusion

The 3D-CNN-based AI model showed good performance in evaluating full-length bowel preparation on colonoscopy video. It has the potential as a substitute for endoscopists to provide BBPS-based assessments during daily clinical practice.

Unlocking the predictive potential of long non-coding RNAs: a machine learning approach for precise cancer patient prognosis

The intricate web of cancer biology is governed by the active participation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), playing crucial roles in cancer cells' proliferation, migration, and drug resistance. Pioneering research driven by machine learning algorithms has unveiled the profound ability of specific combinations of lncRNAs to predict the prognosis of cancer patients. These findings highlight the transformative potential of lncRNAs as powerful therapeutic targets and prognostic markers. In this comprehensive review, we meticulously examined the landscape of lncRNAs in predicting the prognosis of the top five cancers and other malignancies, aiming to provide a compelling reference for future research endeavours. Leveraging the power of machine learning techniques, we explored the predictive capabilities of diverse lncRNA combinations, revealing their unprecedented potential to accurately determine patient outcomes.

Optimization of colonoscopy quality: Comprehensive review of the literature and future perspectives

Colonoscopy is crucial in preventing colorectal cancer (CRC) and reducing associated mortality. This comprehensive review examines the importance of high-quality colonoscopy and associated quality indicators, including bowel preparation, cecal intubation rate, withdrawal time, adenoma detection rate (ADR), complete resection, specimen retrieval, complication rates, and patient satisfaction, while also discussing other ADR-related metrics. Additionally, the review draws attention to often overlooked quality aspects, such as nonpolypoid lesion detection, as well as insertion and withdrawal skills. Moreover, it explores the potential of artificial intelligence in enhancing colonoscopy quality and highlights specific considerations for organized screening programs. The review also emphasizes the implications of organized screening programs and the need for continuous quality improvement. A high-quality colonoscopy is crucial for preventing postcolonoscopy CRC- and CRC-related deaths. Health-care professionals must develop a thorough understanding of colonoscopy quality components, including technical quality, patient safety, and patient experience. By prioritizing ongoing evaluation and refinement of these quality indicators, health-care providers can contribute to improved patient outcomes and develop more effective CRC screening programs.

Colon Bowel Preparation in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: Is There Potential for Enhancing Colon Bowel Cleansing?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Proper bowel preparation is of paramount importance for enhancing adenoma detection rates and reducing postcolonoscopic colorectal cancer risk. Despite recommendations from gastroenterology societies regarding the optimal rates of successful bowel preparation, these guidelines are frequently unmet. Various approaches have been employed to enhance the rates of successful bowel preparation, yet the quality of cleansing remains suboptimal. Intensive bowel preparation techniques, supplementary administration of bowel solutions, and educational interventions aimed at improving patient adherence to instructions have been commonly utilized, particularly among patients at a high risk of inadequate bowel preparation. Expedited strategies conducted on the same day as the procedure have also been endorsed by scientific organizations. More recently, the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged for the preprocedural detection of inadequate bowel preparation, holding the potential to guide the preparation process immediately preceding colonoscopy. This manuscript comprehensively reviews the current strategies employed to optimize bowel cleansing, with a specific focus on patients with elevated risks for inadequate bowel preparation. Additionally, the prospective role of AI in this context is thoroughly examined.

CONCLUSIONS

While a majority of outpatients may achieve cleanliness with standard cleansing protocols, dealing with hard-to-prepare patients remains a challenge. Rescue strategies based on AI are promising, but such evidence remains limited. To ensure proper bowel cleansing, a combination of strategies should be performed.

Factors of easy and difficult cecal intubation during unsedated colonoscopy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

difficulty of cecal intubation should be a main indicator for the need of sedated colonoscopy and skilled endoscopists. The present study aimed to explore the factors associated with easy and difficult cecal intubation in unsedated colonoscopy.

METHODS

all consecutive patients who underwent unsedated colonoscopy at our department by the same endoscopist from December 3, 2020 to August 30, 2022 were retrospectively collected. Age, gender, body mass index (BMI), reasons for colonoscopy, position change, Boston Bowel Preparation Scale score, cecal intubation time (CIT) and major colonoscopic findings were analyzed. CIT < 5 min, CIT 5-10 min and CIT > 10 min or failed cecal intubation were defined as easy, moderate and difficult cecal intubation, respectively. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent factors associated with easy and difficult cecal intubation.

RESULTS

overall, 1,281 patients were included. The proportions of easy and difficult cecal intubation were 29.2 % (374/1,281) and 27.2 % (349/1,281), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that age ≤ 50 years, male, BMI > 23.0 kg/m2 and the absence of position change were independently associated with easy cecal intubation, and that age > 50 years, female, BMI ≤ 23.0 kg/m2, position change, and insufficient bowel preparation were independently associated with difficult cecal intubation.

CONCLUSIONS

some convenient factors independently associated with easy and difficult cecal intubation have been identified, which will be potentially helpful to determine whether a colonoscopy should be sedated and a skilled endoscopist should be selected. The current findings should be further validated in large-scale prospective studies.

High Concordance of CT Colonography and Colonoscopy Allows for the Distinguishing and Diagnosing of Intestinal Diseases

(1) Although new imaging methods for examining the GIT with high diagnostic capabilities were introduced, the improvement and implementation of safe, efficient, and cost-effective approaches continue, and GIT diseases are still challenging to diagnose; (2) Methods: We aim to show the possibilities of computed tomography (CT) colonography for early diagnosis of colon diseases using a multidetector 32-channel CT scanner after appropriate preparation; (3) Results: After a colonoscopy was performed earlier, 140 patients were examined with CT colonography. Complete colonoscopy was performed in 80 patients (57.1%) out of 140 who underwent CT colonography. Incomplete colonoscopy was observed in 52 patients (37.2%); in 5 patients (3.6%), it was contraindicated, and in 3 patients (2.1%), it was not performed because of patients' refusal. We determined that in cases of complete FCS in 95% of patients, CT colonography established the same clinical diagnosis as FCS. In cases of incomplete, refused, or contraindicated FCS in 32.7% (17 patients), FCS failed to diagnose correctly. The main reasons for incomplete colonoscopy were: intraluminal obturation of tumor nature-17 patients (33%), extraluminal obturation (compression) from a tumor formation-4 patients (8%), stenotic changes of non-tumor nature-11 patients (21%), congenital diseases with changes in the length of the lumen of the intestinal loops-7 patients (13%), and subjective factors (pain, poor preparation, contraindications) in 13 patients (25%); (4) Conclusions: Our results confirmed that CT colonography is a method of choice in cases of negative FCS results accompanied by clinical data for the neoplastic process and in cases of incomplete and contraindicated FCS. Also, the insufflation system we developed optimizes the method by improving the quality of the obtained images and ensuring good patient tolerance.

Preoperative mechanical bowel preparation using conventional versus hyperosmolar polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage solution before laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer (TLUMP test): a phase III, multicenter randomized controlled non-inferiority trial

BACKGROUND

A hyperosmolar ascorbic acid-enriched polyethylene glycol-electrolyte (ASC-PEG) lavage solution ensures excellent bowel preparation before colonoscopy; however, no study has demonstrated the efficacy of this lavage solution before surgery. This study aimed to establish the non-inferiority of ASC-PEG to the standard polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution (PEG-ELS) in patients undergoing laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer.

METHODS

This was a prospective, single-blind, multicenter, randomized, controlled, non-inferiority clinical trial. Overall, 188 patients scheduled for laparoscopic colorectal resection for single colorectal adenocarcinomas were randomly assigned to undergo preparation with different PEG solutions between August 2017 and April 2020 at four hospitals in Japan. Participants received ASC-PEG (Group A) or PEG-ELS (Group B) preoperatively. The primary endpoint was the ratio of successful bowel preparations using the modified Aronchick scale, defined as "excellent" or "good."

RESULTS

After exclusion, 86 and 87 patients in Groups A and B, respectively, completed the study, and their data were analyzed. ASC-PEG was not inferior to PEG-ELS in terms of effective bowel preparation prior to laparoscopic colorectal resection (0.93 vs. 0.92; 95% confidence interval, - 0.078 to 0.099, p = 0.007). The total volume of cleansing solution intake was lower in Group A than in Group B (1757.0 vs. 1970.1 mL). Two and three severe postoperative adverse events occurred in Groups A and B, respectively. Patient tolerance of the two solutions was almost equal.

CONCLUSIONS

ASC-PEG is effective for preoperative bowel preparation in patients undergoing laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer and is non-inferior to PEG-ELS.

High quality colonoscopy: using textbook process as a composite quality measure

BACKGROUND : High quality colonoscopy is fundamental to good patient outcomes. "Textbook outcome" has proven to be a feasible multidimensional measure for quality assurance between surgical centers. In this study, we sought to establish the "textbook process" (TP) as a new composite measure for the optimal colonoscopy process and assessed how frequently TP was attained in clinical practice and the variation in TP between endoscopists. METHODS : To reach consensus on the definition of TP, international expert endoscopists completed a modified Delphi consensus process. The achievement of TP was then applied to clinical practice. Prospectively collected data in two endoscopy services were retrospectively evaluated. Data on colonoscopies performed for symptoms or surveillance between 1 January 2018 and 1 August 2021 were analyzed. RESULTS : The Delphi consensus process was completed by 20 of 27 invited experts (74.1 %). TP was defined as a colonoscopy fulfilling the following items: explicit colonoscopy indication; successful cecal intubation; adequate bowel preparation; adequate withdrawal time; acceptable patient comfort score; provision of post-polypectomy surveillance recommendations in line with guidelines; and the absence of the use of reversal agents, early adverse events, readmission, and mortality. In the two endoscopy services studied, TP was achieved in 5962/8227 colonoscopies (72.5 %). Of 48 endoscopists performing colonoscopy, attainment of TP varied significantly, ranging per endoscopist from 41.0 % to 89.1 %. CONCLUSION : This study proposes a new composite measure for colonoscopy, namely "textbook process." TP gives a comprehensive summary of performance and demonstrates significant variation between endoscopists, illustrating the potential benefit of TP as a measure in future quality assessment programs.

Mandatory vs. optional split-dose bowel preparation for morning colonoscopies: a pragmatic noninferiority randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND : We compared the effectiveness of optional split-dose bowel preparation (SDBP) with mandatory SDBP for morning colonoscopies in usual clinical practice. METHODS : Adult patients undergoing outpatient early morning (8:00 AM-10:30 PM) and late morning (10:30 AM-12:00 PM) colonoscopies were included. Written bowel preparation instructions were provided based on randomization: one group were instructed to take their bowel preparation (4 L polyethylene glycol solution) as a split dose (mandatory), while the comparator group was allowed the choice of SDBP or single-dose bowel preparation administered entirely on the day before (optional). The primary end point, using noninferiority hypothesis testing with a 5 % margin, was adequate bowel cleanliness measured by the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) and defined by a BBPS score ≥ 6. RESULTS : Among 770 randomized patients with complete data, there were 267 mandatory SDBP and 265 optional SDBP patients for early morning colonoscopies, and 120 mandatory SDBP and 118 optional SDBP patients for late morning colonoscopies. Optional SDBP was inferior to mandatory SDBP, with a lower proportion of adequate BBPS cleanliness for early morning colonoscopies (78.9 % vs. 89.9 %; absolute risk difference [aRD] 11.0 %, 95 %CI 5.9 % to 16.1 %), but was not statistically different for late morning colonoscopies (76.3 % vs. 83.3 %; aRD 7.1 %, 95 %CI -1.5 % to 15.5 %). CONCLUSIONS : Optional SDBP is inferior to mandatory SDBP in providing adequate bowel preparation quality for early morning colonoscopies (8:00 AM-10:30 AM), and probably inferior for late morning colonoscopies (10:30 AM-12:00 PM).

Automated Detection of Anatomical Landmarks During Colonoscopy Using a Deep Learning Model

Background and aims

Identification and photo-documentation of the ileocecal valve (ICV) and appendiceal orifice (AO) confirm completeness of colonoscopy examinations. We aimed to develop and test a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) model that can automatically identify ICV and AO, and differentiate these landmarks from normal mucosa and colorectal polyps.

Methods

We prospectively collected annotated full-length colonoscopy videos of 318 patients undergoing outpatient colonoscopies. We created three nonoverlapping training, validation, and test data sets with 25,444 unaltered frames extracted from the colonoscopy videos showing four landmarks/image classes (AO, ICV, normal mucosa, and polyps). A DCNN classification model was developed, validated, and tested in separate data sets of images containing the four different landmarks.

Results

After training and validation, the DCNN model could identify both AO and ICV in 18 out of 21 patients (85.7%). The accuracy of the model for differentiating AO from normal mucosa, and ICV from normal mucosa were 86.4% (95% CI 84.1% to 88.5%), and 86.4% (95% CI 84.1% to 88.6%), respectively. Furthermore, the accuracy of the model for differentiating polyps from normal mucosa was 88.6% (95% CI 86.6% to 90.3%).

Conclusion

This model offers a novel tool to assist endoscopists with automated identification of AO and ICV during colonoscopy. The model can reliably distinguish these anatomical landmarks from normal mucosa and colorectal polyps. It can be implemented into automated colonoscopy report generation, photo-documentation, and quality auditing solutions to improve colonoscopy reporting quality.

Impact of WeChat guidance on bowel preparation for colonoscopy: a quasi-experiment study

Colonoscopy is a standard procedure for screening, monitoring, and treating colorectal lesions. To explore the impact of WeChat guidance on bowel preparation before colonoscopy. This quasi-experiment study included patients who underwent colonoscopy at Qingdao Endoscopy Center between March 2016 and September 2016. The primary outcome was bowel preparation quality (Ottawa score), the secondary outcomes were intubation time, withdrawal time, adenoma detection rate (ADR), and adverse reactions. Finally, 588 patients were included and divided into the WeChat guide (n = 295) and the non-WeChat guide (n = 293) groups, they were comparable in baseline characteristics. The Ottawa score (1.59 ± 1.07 vs. 6.62 ± 3.07, P < 0.001), intubation time (6.47 ± 1.81 vs. 11.61 ± 3.34, P < 0.001), withdrawal time (13.15 ± 3.93 vs. 14.99 ± 6.77, P < 0.001), and occurrence rate of adverse reactions (2.0% vs. 5.5%, P = 0.029) were significantly lower in the WeChat guide group than those in the non-WeChat guide group. ADR was significantly higher in the WeChat guide than that in the non-WeChat guide group (1.47 ± 2.30 vs. 0.84 ± 1.66, P < 0.001). WeChat guidance might improve the quality of bowel preparation and adenoma detection rate, shorten the time of colonoscopy, and reduce adverse reactions in bowel preparation.

Polyps are detected more often in early colonoscopies

OBJECTIVE

To examine the time variation in polyp detection for colonoscopies performed in a tertiary hospital and to explore independent factors that predict polyp detection rate (PDR).

METHODS

Data on all patients who underwent colonoscopy for the diagnostic purpose at our endoscopy center in Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from January 2021 to December 2021 were reviewed. The start time of included colonoscopies for eligible patients was recorded. PDR and polyps detected per colonoscopy (PPC) were calculated. The endoscopists' schedules were classified into full-day and half-day shifts according to their participation in the morning and afternoon colonoscopies.

RESULTS

Data on a total of 12116 colonoscopies were analyzed, with a PDR of 38.03% for all the patients and 46.38% for patients ≥50 years. PDR and PPC significantly decreased as the day progressed (both p < .001). For patients ≥50 years, PDR declined below 40% at 13:00-13:59 and 16:00-16:59. The PDR in the morning was higher than that in the afternoon for both half-day (p = .019) and full-day procedures (p < .001). In multivariate analysis, start time, patient gender, age, conscious sedation, and bowel preparation quality significantly predicted PDR (p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The polyp detection declined as the day progressed. A continuous work schedule resulted in a subpar PDR. Colonoscopies performed in the morning had a higher PDR than that in the afternoon. Patient gender, age, conscious sedation, and bowel preparation quality were identified as the independent predictors of PDR.

Colonoscopy performance monitoring: do we need to adjust for case mix?

INTRODUCTION

Overall caecum intubation rate(oCIR) and overall polyp detection rate(oPDR) have been proposed as performance indicators, but varying complexity in case mix among endoscopists may potentially affect validity. The study aims to explore the effect of adjusting for case mix on individual endoscopist performance by calculating case mix-adjusted performance estimates (cmCIR and cmPDR) and comparing them to overall performance estimates (oCIR and oPDR). The study also provides an R program for case mix analysis.

METHODS

Logistic regression associated endoscopist, colonoscopy indication, patient age and patient gender with the binary outcomes of cecum intubation and polyp detection. Case mix-adjusted performance indicators were calculated for each endoscopist based on logistic regression and bootstraps. Endoscopists were ranked from best to worst by overall and case mix-adjusted performance estimates, and differences were evaluated using percentage points(pp) and rank changes.

RESULTS

The dataset consisted of 7376 colonoscopies performed by 47 endoscopists. The maximum rank change for an endoscopist comparing oCIR and cmCIR was eight positions, interquartile range (IQR 1-3). The maximum change in CIR was 1.95 percentage point (pp) (IQR 0.27-0.86). The maximum rank change in the oPDR versus cmPDR analysis was 17 positions (IQR 1.5-8.5). The maximum change in PDR was 11.21 pp (IQR 2.05-6.70). Three endoscopists improved their performance from significantly inferior to within the 95% confidence interval (CI) range of performance targets using case mix-adjusted estimates.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of endoscopists were unaffected by adjustment for case mix, but a few unfortunate endoscopists had an unfavourable case mix that could invite incorrect suspicion of inferior performance.

CT colonography: can we achieve an adequate bowel preparation without diet restriction?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate if an adequate bowel preparation for CT colonography, can be achieved without diet restriction, using a reduced amount of cathartic agent and fecal tagging. To investigate the influence of patients' characteristics on bowel preparation and the impact on patients' compliance.

METHODS

In total, 1446 outpatients scheduled for elective CT colonography were prospectively enrolled. All patients had the same bowel preparation based on a reduced amount of cathartic agent (120 g of macrogol in 1.5 l of water) the day before the exam and a fecal tagging agent (60 ml of hyperosmolar oral iodinated agent) the day of the exam. No dietary restrictions were imposed before the exam. The bowel preparation was evaluated using a qualitative and quantitative score. Patients were grouped by age, gender, and presence of diverticula in both scores. Patients' compliance has been evaluated with a questionnaire after the end of the exam and with a phone-calling interview the day after the exam.

RESULTS

According to the qualitative score, adequate bowel preparation was achieved in 1349 patients (93.29%) and no statistical differences were observed among the subgroups of patients. Quantitative scores demonstrated that colon distension was significantly better in younger patients and without diverticula. A good patients' compliance was observed and most patients (96.5%) were willing to repeat it.

CONCLUSIONS

The lack of diet restriction does not affect the quality of CTC preparation and good patient's compliance could potentially increase the participation rate in CRC screening programs.

KEY POINTS

• An adequate quality bowel preparation for CT colonography can be achieved without diet restriction, using a reduced amount of cathartic agent (120 g of macrogol in 1.5 l of water) and fecal tagging (60 ml of hyperosmolar oral iodinated agent). • A bowel preparation based on the combination of a reduced amount of cathartic agent and fecal tagging, without diet restriction, allows obtaining good quality in more than 90% of patients. • The bowel preparation scheme proposed reduces the distress and discomfort experienced by the patients improving adherence to CTC.

Effectiveness of Water-Assisted Colonoscopy without Sedation in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis

BACKGROUND

Studies have found that water-assisted colonoscopy (WAC) including water immersion colonoscopy (WIC) and water exchange colonoscopy (WEC) is superior to air insufflation colonoscopy (AIC) in terms of the cecal intubation rate. However, the application of WAC in ulcerative colitis (UC) has rarely been reported. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of WAC without sedation in patients with UC.

METHODS

One hundred and seventy-two UC patients were randomly divided into the AIC group (n = 56), WIC group (n = 58), and WEC group (n = 58). The cecal intubation rate, abdominal pain score, operator difficulty, bowel cleanliness, insertion, and total time were compared.

RESULTS

The cecal intubation rate was higher in the WIC (91.4% vs. 75.0%; mean difference = 16.4%; 95% CI: 3.0-29.8%) and WEC (93.1% vs. 75.0%; mean difference = 18.1%; 95% CI: 5.0-31.2%) compared to the AIC group, while there was no difference between the WIC and WEC groups. The abdominal pain score and operator difficulty were lower in the WIC and WEC groups than in the AIC group, while there was no difference between the WIC and WEC groups. The bowel cleanliness during withdrawal was higher in the WIC and WEC groups than in the AIC group, while the WEC was superior to WIC. Compared with the AIC and WIC groups, the insertion time and total time were longer in the WEC group, and there was no difference in the AIC group and WIC group.

CONCLUSION

In comparison with AIC, WAC can increase the cecal intubation rate, reduce abdominal pain scores and improve bowel cleanliness in patients with UC.

Curriculum for training in endoscopic mucosal resection in the colon: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Position Statement

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is the standard of care for the complete removal of large (≥ 10 mm) nonpedunculated colorectal polyps (LNPCPs). Increased detection of LNPCPs owing to screening colonoscopy, plus high observed rates of incomplete resection and need for surgery call for a standardized approach to training in EMR. 1 : Trainees in EMR should have achieved basic competence in diagnostic colonoscopy, < 10-mm polypectomy, pedunculated polypectomy, and common methods of gastrointestinal endoscopic hemostasis. The role of formal training courses is emphasized. Training may then commence in vivo under the direct supervision of a trainer. 2 : Endoscopy units training endoscopists in EMR should have specific processes in place to support and facilitate training. 3: A trained EMR practitioner should have mastered theoretical knowledge including how to assess an LNPCP for risk of submucosal invasion, how to interpret the potential difficulty of a particular EMR procedure, how to decide whether to remove a particular LNPCP en bloc or piecemeal, whether the risks of electrosurgical energy can be avoided for a particular LNPCP, the different devices required for EMR, management of adverse events, and interpretation of reports provided by histopathologists. 4: Trained EMR practitioners should be familiar with the patient consent process for EMR. 5: The development of endoscopic non-technical skills (ENTS) and team interaction are important for trainees in EMR. 6: Differences in recommended technique exist between EMR performed with and without electrosurgical energy. Common to both is a standardized technique based upon dynamic injection, controlled and precise snare placement, safety checks prior to the application of tissue transection (cold snare) or electrosurgical energy (hot snare), and interpretation of the post-EMR resection defect. 7: A trained EMR practitioner must be able to manage adverse events associated with EMR including intraprocedural bleeding and perforation, and post-procedural bleeding. Delayed perforation should be avoided by correct interpretation of the post-EMR defect and treatment of deep mural injury. 8: A trained EMR practitioner must be able to communicate EMR procedural findings to patients and provide them with a plan in case of adverse events after discharge and a follow-up plan. 9: A trained EMR practitioner must be able to detect and interrogate a post-endoscopic resection scar for residual or recurrent adenoma and apply treatment if necessary. 10: Prior to independent practice, a minimum of 30 EMR procedures should be performed, culminating in a trainer-guided assessment of competency using a validated assessment tool, taking account of procedural difficulty (e. g. using the SMSA polyp score). 11: Trained practitioners should log their key performance indicators (KPIs) of polypectomy during independent practice. A guide for target KPIs is provided in this document.

Construction of Exosome SORL1 Detection Platform Based on 3D Porous Microfluidic Chip and its Application in Early Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer

Exosomes are promising new biomarkers for colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis, due to their rich biological fingerprints and high level of stability. However, the accurate detection of exosomes with specific surface receptors is limited to clinical application. Herein, an exosome enrichment platform on a 3D porous sponge microfluidic chip is constructed and the exosome capture efficiency of this chip is ≈90%. Also, deep mass spectrometry analysis followed by multi-level expression screenings revealed a CRC-specific exosome membrane protein (SORL1). A method of SORL1 detection by specific quantum dot labeling is further designed and the ensemble classification system is established by extracting features from 64-patched fluorescence images. Importantly, the area under the curve (AUC) using this system is 0.99, which is significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that using a conventional biomarker (carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), AUC of 0.71). The above system showed similar diagnostic performance, dealing with early-stage CRC, young CRC, and CEA-negative CRC patients.

The Colonoscopy Cookbook: Analysis of effect of a recipe resource on quality and experience of bowel preparation in colonoscopy

Background  High-quality bowel preparation for a colonoscopy improves identification of early lesions in the large bowel, decreases procedure time and increases intervals between colonoscopies. Current recommendations advise a low-residue diet in the days leading up to colonoscopy to improve quality of preparation. This study prepared and provided a recipe resource to patients undergoing colonoscopy and assessed the quality of bowel preparation and patient experience. Patients and methods  A "Colonoscopy Cookbook" resource of recipes that comply with the preoperative diet recommendations was created and added to routine preoperative information given to patients undergoing elective colonoscopies at a regional Australian hospital over a 12-month period. Endoscopic reports were reviewed for each case and quality of bowel preparation was classified as "adequate'' or "inadequate". Data collected were compared to a representative local cohort from 2019. Results  Procedure reports from 96 patients who were provided with the resource were compared with 96 patients who were not. Adequate bowel preparation was nine times as likely when the resource was available (odds ratio 8.54, 95 % confidence interval: 2.85 to 25.60, P  < 0.001) compared to when it was not. The patient experience was assessed using a post-procedure survey, which demonstrated a positive experience in recipe preparation. Most patients would use the resource prior to future colonoscopies. Conclusions  Further randomized controlled trials are required to validate this scoping review. Pre-procedure recipe resources may improve quality of bowel preparation in patients undergoing colonoscopy.

Effect of acuity level and patient characteristics on bowel preparation quality: a retrospective cohort study of inpatient colonoscopies

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Colonoscopy is the primary method to detect mucosal abnormalities in the colon, rectum, and terminal ileum. Inadequate bowel preparation is a common problem and can impede successful visualization during colonoscopy. Although studies identified hospitalization as a predictor of inadequate bowel preparation, acuity of care vary greatly within this patient population. The current study aims to examine the effect of patient characteristics and care level predictors on inadequate bowel preparation quality within the inpatient setting.

METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted in a single urban level 1 trauma medical center and included adult patients undergoing diagnostic colonoscopy while admitted in the hospital from January 1, 2015 to June 30, 2020. We examined the level of inpatient care between the General Medical Floor (GMF), Intensive Care Units (ICU) and Telemetry Unit (TU) and assessed this association with bowel preparation quality, adjusting for known and unknown predictors.

RESULTS

Of 538 patients undergoing colonoscopy, 47.4% were admitted into TU, 43.7% into GMF and 8.9% into ICU. For the entire sample, 72.7% of patients achieved good or excellent preparation and quality of bowel preparation differed by care level (P = 0.01). Patients from the critical care units were less likely to achieve adequate bowel preparation when compared to GMF (Odds Ratio [OR] 0.36; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.17,0.77), after adjusting for patient characteristics, medications, physical status, and preparation regimen. No significant difference in Bowel Preparation Quality (BPQ) was identified between patients from GMF and TU (OR 0.96; 95%CI 0.61, 1.52). Furthermore, adequate BPQ was associated with withdrawal time and cecal intubation, but not higher adenoma detection rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest the ICU setting is an independent predictor for inadequate bowel preparation and patients with prior opioid and laxative use may be more likely to have inadequate bowel preparation in the hospital. Future interventions should prioritize preprocedural clinician meetings for critical care unit patients, including a more detailed readiness assessment and thorough medication history.

Quality of bowel preparation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease undergoing colonoscopy: What factors to consider?

An adequate bowel preparation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a prerequisite for successful colonoscopy for screening, diagnosis, and surveillance. Several bowel preparation formulations are available, both high- and low-volume based on polyethylene glycol. Generally, low-volume formulations are also based on several compounds such as magnesium citrate preparations with sodium picosulphate, oral sulphate solution, and oral sodium phosphate-based solutions. Targeted studies on the quality of bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy in the IBD population are still required, with current evidence from existing studies being inconclusive. New frontiers are also moving towards the use of alternatives to anterograde ones, using preparations based on retrograde colonic lavage.

Safety and efficacy comparison of polyethylene glycol, hemp seed oil, and 5% sugar brine for bowel preparation in older patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The incidence of colorectal cancer among the middle-aged and elderly is gradually increasing in China. Colonoscopy is an effective method for the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer, and bowel preparation is one of many important factors affecting colonoscopy. Although there are many studies on intestinal cleansers, the results are not ideal. There is evidence that hemp seed oil has certain potential effects in intestinal cleansing, but prospective studies on this topic are still lacking.

METHODS

This is a randomized, double-blind, single-center clinical study. We randomly assigned 690 participants to groups each administered 3 L of polyethylene glycol (PEG), 30 mL of hemp seed oil and 2 L of PEG, or 30 mL of hempseed oil, 2 L of PEG, and 1000 mL of 5% sugar brine. The Boston Bowel Preparation Scale was considered the primary outcome measure. We evaluated the interval between consumption of bowel preparation and first bowel movement. Secondary indicators included the time of cecal intubation, detection rate of polyps and adenomas, willingness to repeat the same bowel preparation, whether the protocol was tolerated, and whether there were adverse reactions during bowel preparation and were evaluated after counting the total number of bowel movements.

DISCUSSION

This study aimed to test the hypothesis that hemp seed oil (30 mL) increases the quality of bowel preparation and reduces the amount of PEG. Previously, we found that its combination with 5% sugar brine can reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2200057626. Prospectively registered on March 15, 2022.

Clean mucosal area detection of gastroenterologists versus artificial intelligence in small bowel capsule endoscopy

Studies comparing the detection of clean mucosal areas in capsule endoscopy (CE) using human judgment versus artificial intelligence (AI) are rare. This study statistically analyzed gastroenterologist judgments and AI results. Three hundred CE video clips (100 patients) were prepared. Five gastroenterologists classified the video clips into 3 groups (≥75% [high], 50%-75% [middle], and < 50% [low]) according to their subjective judgment of cleanliness. Visualization scores were calculated using an AI algorithm based on the predicted visible area, and the 5 gastroenterologists' judgments and AI results were compared. The 5 gastroenterologists evaluated CE clip video quality as "high" in 10.7% to 36.7% and as "low" in 28.7% to 60.3% and 29.7% of cases, respectively. The AI evaluated CE clip video quality as "high" in 27.7% and as "low" in 29.7% of cases. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences in the 6 evaluation indicators (5 gastroenterologists and 1 AI) (P < .001). Among the 300 judgments, 90 (30%) were consistent with 5 gastroenterologists' judgments, and 82 (91.1%) agreed with the AI judgments. The "high" and "low" judgments of the gastroenterologists and AI agreed in 95.0% and 94.9% of cases, respectively. Bonferroni's multiple comparison test showed no significant difference between 3 gastroenterologists and AI (P = .0961, P = 1.0000, and P = .0676, respectively) but a significant difference between the other 2 with AI (P < .0001). When evaluating CE images for cleanliness, the judgments of 5 gastroenterologists were relatively diverse. The AI produced a relatively universal judgment that was consistent with the gastroenterologists' judgements.

Negative effect of prolonged cecal intubation time on adenoma detection in female patients

Background and Aim

Withdrawal time of the colonoscope is associated with adenoma detection. However, the association between cecal intubation time and adenoma detection remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between cecal intubation time and adenoma detection.

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed prospectively collected data from a randomized controlled trial on female patients who underwent colonoscopy in an academic hospital. The primary outcome was the mean number of all adenomas detected per patient. Secondary outcomes included the mean number of advanced, diminutive, small/large, right-sided colonic, and left-sided colonic adenomas detected per patient. Furthermore, the detection rates of all categories of adenoma were evaluated.

Results

The analysis included 216 female patients aged ≥20 years. The correlation analysis did not reveal a significant relationship (P = 0.473) between cecal intubation and withdrawal times. The mean number of all adenomas detected per patient declined by approximately 30% (1.05-0.70) from the fastest to the slowest insertion time quartile. Adjusted regression analysis showed a significant decrease in the mean number of all adenomas detected per patient with increased intubation time (relative risk, RR = 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.76-0.99, P = 0.045), whereas the mean number of other categories of adenomas detected per patient and the detection rates of all categories of adenoma were not associated with the cecal intubation time.

Conclusions

This study showed a significant association between prolonged cecal intubation time and decreased adenoma detection. The cecal intubation time may be a significant quality indicator for colonoscopy.

Application of a multispecies probiotic reduces gastro-intestinal discomfort and induces microbial changes after colonoscopy

Even after decades of research and pharmaceutical development, cancer is still one of the most common causes of death in the western population and the management of cancer will remain a major challenge of medical research. One of the most common types of cancer is colorectal cancer (CRC). Prevention by detection of early-stage precursors is the most reliable method to prevent CRC development. In dependence of age, familial predisposition, and other risk factors the preventative routine screening for CRC by colonoscopy should be performed at least twice in intervals of about ten years. Although colonoscopy is a life-saving clinical examination reducing both incidence and mortality of CRC significantly, it has still a bad reputation in the population as an uncomfortable procedure with unpleasant side effects lasting sometimes over days to weeks. These effects are most likely caused by the bowel preparation before colonoscopy, which is crucial for a successful colonoscopy with high quality. Beside pain, bleeding and other rare but severe complications of colonoscopy, cleaning of the intestinal mucosa alters the gut microbiome significantly and consistently. Abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhea, nausea, bloating, and constipation are common adverse events which can continue to affect patients for days or even weeks after the procedure. In this multicenter, placebo controlled, double blind clinical trial, we investigated the effect of an intervention with a multispecies probiotic formulation for 30 days on the adverse events due to bowel preparation. We show that the treatment of participants with the multispecies probiotic formulation decreases the number of days with constipation significantly, and reduced pain, bloating, diarrhea, and general discomfort. 16S based amplicon analyses reveal recovery of administered probiotic strains from stool samples and differences in alpha diversity dynamics with higher variability in the probiotic group compared to the placebo group. In conclusion, the probiotic ameliorates the side effects after colonoscopy and might be an important supplement to increase acceptance of this life-saving preventative examination. Further, we present here for the first time that probiotic intervention of only 30 days affects alpha diversity parameters in stool samples.

Factors Affecting the Quality of Bowel Preparation Before Colonoscopy in Outpatient: A Prospective Observational Study

Colonoscopy is an effective method for screening colorectal cancer and adenoma, but the adenoma detection rate depends on the quality of bowel preparation. Our study investigates the influencing factors of the quality of bowel preparation before colonoscopy in outpatients and the influence of the number of walking steps on the quality of bowel preparation. We prospectively collected the clinical data of 150 outpatients undergoing colonoscopy in our department in 2019. Ordinal logistic regression shows that the overweight, not drinking, the number of walking steps before colonoscopy, and the time interval between start PEG and colonoscopy (4-6 hours) were independent factors affecting bowel preparation quality. There was a curving relationship between the reciprocal of Ottawa score and the number of walking steps before colonoscopy, and the regression equation is 1/ Ottawa score = -0.198 + 0.062 × ln steps (p = .035), a minimum of 5,270 walking steps before a colonoscopy is required for a high quality of bowel preparation.

An Italian prospective multicenter study on colonoscopy practice and quality: What has changed in the last 10 years

BACKGROUND

A relevant number of adenomas can be missed during colonoscopy.

AIMS

Assess the current status of colonoscopy procedures in Italian centers.

METHODS

A prospective observational study involving 17 hospitals (34 endoscopists) included consecutive patients undergoing standard colonoscopy. In the first phase, endoscopists performed consecutive colonoscopies. In the second phase, retraining via an online learning platform was planned, while in the third phase data were collected analogously to phase 1.

RESULTS

A total of 3,504 patients were enrolled. Overall, a BBPS score ≥6 was obtained in 95.6% of cases (94.8% and 96.9% in the pre- and post-training phases, respectively). 88.4% of colonoscopies had a withdrawal time ≥6 min (88.2% and 88.7% in the pre- and post-training phases). Median adenoma detection rate (ADR) was 39.1%, with no significant differences between the pre- and post-training phases (40.1% vs 36.9%; P = 0.83). In total, 81% of endoscopists had a ADR performance above the 25% threshold.

CONCLUSION

High colonoscopy quality standards are achieved by the Italian hospitals involved. Quality improvement initiatives and repeated module-based colonoscopy-training have been promoted in Italy during the last decade, which appear to have had a significant impact on quality colonoscopy metrics together with the activation of colorectal cancer screening programs.

Automated Detection of Bowel Preparation Scoring and Adequacy With Deep Convolutional Neural Networks

INTRODUCTION

Adequate bowel preparation is integral to effective colonoscopy. Inadequate bowel preparation has been associated with reduced adenoma detection rate and increased post-colonoscopy colorectal cancer (PCCRC). As a result, the USMSTF recommends early interval reevaluation for colonoscopies with inadequate bowel preparation. However, bowel preparation documentation is highly variable with subjective interpretation. In this study, we developed deep convolutional neural networks (DCNN) to objectively ascertain bowel preparation.

METHODS

Bowel preparation scores were assigned using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). Bowel preparation adequacy and inadequacy were defined as BBPS ≥2 and BBPS <2, respectively. A total of 38523 images were extracted from 28 colonoscopy videos and split into 26966 images for training, 7704 for validation, and 3853 for testing. Two DCNNs were created using a Densenet-169 backbone in PyTorch library evaluating BBPS score and bowel preparation adequacy. We used Adam optimiser with an initial learning rate of 3 × 10-4 and a scheduler to decay the learning rate of each parameter group by 0.1 every 7 epochs along with focal loss as our criterion for both classifiers.

RESULTS

The overall accuracy for BBPS subclassification and determination of adequacy was 91% and 98%, respectively. The accuracy for BBPS 0, BBPS 1, BBPS 2, and BBPS 3 was 84%, 91%, 85%, and 96%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

We developed DCCNs capable of assessing bowel preparation adequacy and scoring with a high degree of accuracy. However, this algorithm will require further research to assess its efficacy in real-time colonoscopy.

Quality of colonoscopy performed by medical or surgical specialists and trainees in five Australian hospitals

BACKGROUND

Ensuring colonoscopy procedure quality is vital to the success of screening and surveillance programmes for bowel cancer in Australia. However, the data on the performance of quality metrics, through adequate adenoma detection, bowel preparation, and procedure completion rates, in the Australian public sector is limited. Understanding these can inform quality improvement to further strengthen our capacity for prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer.

AIM

To determine the quality of colonoscopy in Australian teaching hospitals and their association with proceduralist specialty, trainee involvement, and location.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 2443 consecutive colonoscopy procedure reports from 1 January to 1 April, 2018 from five public teaching tertiary hospitals in Australia (median 60 years old, 49% male). Data for bowel preparation quality, procedure completion rates, and detection rates of clinically significant adenomas, conventional adenomas, and serrated lesions was collected and compared to national criteria for quality in colonoscopy. Participating hospital, proceduralist specialty, and trainee involvement indicators were used for stratification. Data was analysed using Chi-squared tests of independence, Mann-Whitney U, One-way ANOVA, and multivariate binary logistic regression.

RESULTS

Fifty-two point two percent (n = 1276) and 43.3% (n = 1057) were performed by medical and surgical proceduralists respectively, whilst 29.8% (n = 728) involved a trainee. Inadequate bowel preparation affected 7.3% of all procedures. The procedure completion rate was 95.1%, which increased to 97.5% after adjustment for bowel preparation quality. The pooled cancer, adenoma, and serrated lesion detection rates for all five hospitals were 3.5%, 40%, and 5.9% respectively. Assessed hospitals varied significantly by patient age (P < 0.001), work-force composition (P < 0.001), adequacy of bowel preparation (P < 0.001), and adenoma detection rate (P < 0.001). Two hospitals (40%) did not meet all national criteria for quality, due to a procedure completion rate of 94.5% or serrated lesion detection rate of 2.6%. Although lower than the other hospitals, the difference was not significant. Compared with surgical specialists, procedures performed by medical specialists involved older patients [65 years (inter-quartile range, IQR 58-73) vs 64 years (IQR 56-71); P = 0.04] and were associated with a higher adenoma detection rate [odds ratio (OR) 1.53; confidence interval: 1.21-1.94; P < 0.001]. Procedures involving trainee proceduralists were not associated with differences in the detection of cancer, adenoma, or serrated lesions, compared with specialists, or according to their medical or surgical background. On multivariate analysis, cancer detection was positively associated with patient age (OR 1.04; P < 0.001) and negatively associated with medical compared to surgical proceduralists (OR 0.54; P = 0.04). Conventional adenoma detection rates were independently associated with increasing patient age (OR 1.04; P < 0.001), positively associated with medical compared to surgical proceduralists (OR 1.41; P = 0.002) and negatively associated with male gender (OR 0.53; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Significant differences in the quality of colonoscopy in Australia exist, even when national benchmarks are achieved. The role of possible contributing factors, like procedural specialty and patient gender need further evaluation.