A New Method for Colorectal Cancer Screening: Colon Capsule Endoscopy Compared to Conventional Endoscopy

Study design This was a prospective, single center pilot analysis under screening conditions. Patient enrollment was from November 5, 2007, to May 7, 2008. All patients provided written informed consent. Patients underwent CCE on day 1 and conventional colonoscopy on day 2, the examinations were done by different physicians. Results were blinded until both examinations had been completed and until interobserver evaluation was finished. Patient acceptance was assessed with a questionnaire after completion of both examinations.

This study was approved by the ethics committee. The study was partly funded by the Nycomed Fund of the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland and by Given Imaging Ltd., Yoqneam, Israel).

The authors designed the study, gathered and analyzed the data; the sponsors had no role in design or conduct of the study nor did they review or approve the data.

Patients Men and women above the age of 50 years without symptoms (Indication for screening) or with lower gastrointestinal signs and symptoms and individuals younger than 50 years, minimum 18 years, without symptoms but with a positive family history for colorectal cancer (CRC) (Indication for screening) were considered for this study. Exclusion criteria were CRC in the patient's history, cardiac pacemaker, contraindications for sodium phosphate solution (Colophos®) and risk factors for capsule retention including surgical intestinal anastomosis, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis and radiologically suspected bowel obstruction.

Data collection General characteristic of the patients were assembled, including demographics, family history and recent surgery, as well as bowel habits.