Evaluation of the clinical efficacy of colon capsule endoscopy in the detection of lesions of the colon: prospective, multicenter, open study

BackgroundColon capsule endoscopy (CCE) is a new procedure for colon imaging. Limited information is available regarding visualization of flat colon lesions and patient acceptability in Japan.ObjectiveThe aims of this study were to evaluate the sensitivity of CCE in detecting polyps and other lesions compared with optical colonoscopy (OC) and to evaluate its safety and acceptability in a cohort of Japanese patients.DesignA prospective, open-label, clinical study in Japan.SettingMulticenter.PatientsPatients referred for OC because of personal history of polyps ≥6 mm or any other colon lesion that required endoscopic or surgical treatment.InterventionsCCE followed by therapeutic colonoscopy.Main Outcome MeasurementsThe primary endpoint was per-patient sensitivity of CCE in detecting significant colon lesion. The secondary endpoints were CCE safety and patient acceptability.ResultsSixty-six of the 72 patients enrolled in the study were evaluated for efficacy. The per-patient sensitivity was 94% (95% confidence interval [CI], 88.2%-99.7%). The per-polyp sensitivity was 86.6% (95% CI, 81.3%-91.9%) when pathology-confirmed polyps were considered true positives. There were no adverse events related to CCE, and the acceptability of CCE was high.LimitationsAll patients had previously confirmed colon lesions, which may have falsely elevated the sensitivity of CCE.ConclusionCCE had a high sensitivity for detecting significant colon lesions. CCE was safe and had a high level of patient acceptability. (Clinical trial registration number: University Hospital Medical Information Network, UMIN000007258.)