Colon Capsule Endoscopy Decision-Making Model
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Colon Capsule Endoscopy Decision-Making Model
IRAS ID
285739
Contact name
Campbell MacLeod
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Highland
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 1 days
Research summary
Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) is a safe and accurate method for investigating the large bowel. The procedure involves taking strong laxatives to clean the large bowel then swallowing a capsule which contains 2 cameras at either end that capture images of the bowel as it travels through it. A successful test requires the bowel to be clean enough to assess the bowel wall and the capsule to travel through the entire bowel within its battery life. If a CCE test inadequate, then the patient may need a further test. CCE is an alternative to a colonoscopy which is invasive and uncomfortable for patients. Colonoscopy also has significant waiting times which have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CCE now has a large volume of published evidence demonstrating its accuracy for detecting pre-cancerous and cancerous tumours in the large bowel. Little research has been conducted regarding which patients are most likely to get a successful test. Prescription drugs, age, gender, and health conditions all have an impact on how well the bowel functions. It is likely these factors affect the chances of an adequate CCE procedure.
CCE is currently being introduced in Scotland following the ScotCap project, a clinical evaluation of 445 patients undergoing CCE. We plan to use the collected data from this clinical evaluation to perform a range of statistical tests to determine which patients are likely to have an adequate test. We will compile these factors to develop a decision-making model for doctors to use when selecting patients for CCE in the future. CCE use is rapidly expanding in response to the coronavirus pandemic due to the pressures on colonoscopy waiting lists. A decision-making model will aid clinicians deciding which patients should undergo CCE and benefit patients by preventing them undergoing tests which are unlikely to be successful.REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/SC/0378
Date of REC Opinion
1 Oct 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion