USA: Colon-Scan Capsule System Study

A new colon-scan capsule system in a recent study in the journal Digestive Diseases and Sciences showed safety and high patient satisfaction for the detection of colorectal polyps and masses. The colon-scan capsule system does not require a bowel preparation and is an innovative, minimally invasive technology.

The strategies used currently for the prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC) vary considerably with regards to safety, invasiveness, and patient satisfaction. A known deterrent is the requirement of bowel cleansing for colonoscopy. A new colon-scan capsule system is a unique preparation-free approach that gives structural information on colonic mucosa required for detection of colorectal polyps and masses.

Elizabeth Rajan, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA, and colleagues in the study aimed to determine safety and patient satisfaction with the colon-scan capsule.

For the purpose, the researchers conducted a prospective single-arm pilot study at two tertiary care centers. The study included patients with a pre-scheduled colonoscopy for CRC screening or surveillance. The patients underwent the colon-scan capsule and colonoscopy. Safety was determined by the occurrence of procedure or device-related adverse events. Based on the survey questionnaires using a scoring system 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree), the researchers determined the patient's satisfaction. Patient satisfaction with the colon-scan capsule was compared to colonoscopy.

Forty patients were included (52.9 [5.7] years; 64.1% females).

Key Findings

• There were no serious adverse events and no occurrences of capsule retention.
• The most common (12.5%) complaint was self-limiting abdominal cramping.
• Satisfaction questionnaires were completed by more than 87% of patients, with patients likely to recommend the capsule (score 4.1 [1.03]) compared to colonoscopy (score 2.8 [1.2]).

"The new prepless colon-scan capsule system is an innovative, minimally invasive technology with demonstrated safety and high patient satisfaction," wrote the authors. "A multicenter pivotal study is planned to validate the performance, safety, and accuracy of polyp detection using the capsule system in comparison with colonoscopy."

Reference

Garcia Garcia de Paredes, A., Gross, S.A., Hernandez-Lara, A.H. et al. Colorectal Cancer and Polyp Detection Using a New Preparation-Free, Colon-Scan Capsule: A Pilot Study of Safety and Patient Satisfaction. Dig Dis Sci (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-021-07289-4