Colon Capsule Endoscopy in Patients With Colonic Diverticulitis

Colon Capsule Endoscopy in Patients With Colonic Diverticulitis: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: Follow-up after colonic diverticulitis is a common indication for colonoscopy, even though studies have shown a low risk of positive findings in this population. The objective is to investigate colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) as a follow-up examination in patients with colonic diverticulitis compared to colonoscopy, on patient satisfaction and clinical performance.

Methods and Analysis: The investigators will conduct a single centre prospective randomized controlled trial. Patients seen at Odense University Hospital with acute diverticulitis confirmed by CT will be included and randomized to either follow-up by colonoscopy or CCE. Detection of suspected cancer, more than two polyps or any number of polyps larger than 9mm in CCE will generate an invitation to a diagnostic colonoscopy for biopsies or polyp removal. The investigators will compare colonoscopy and CCE regarding patient satisfaction and tolerance, the number of complete examinations, the number of patients referred to a subsequent colonoscopy after CCE and the prevalence of diverticula, polyps, cancers and other abnormal findings.

Colon diverticulosis (CD) is extremely common and the prevalence seems to increase globally. The prevalence of CD increases with age and two-thirds of the adult population eventually develop CD. In the US the prevalence of CD was 32.6 % in patients aged 50-59 years and 71.4% in patients > 80 years of age. CD is often detected incidentally during optical colonoscopy (OC) or by computer tomography (CT). In approximately 25 % of patients with CD symptomatic colon diverticular disease develop typically comprising bloating, abdominal pain and change in bowel habits. Progression to diverticulitis is estimated to appear in approximately 1%. Most patients present with uncomplicated diverticulitis and are managed by general practitioners (GP) with the use of painkillers and oral antibiotics. Complicated diverticulitis due to perforation can be classified according to Hinchey et al. as a guidance to surgeon as to how conservative they can be. Hinchey level 1-2 can be managed conservatively. In the case of Hinchey level 3 and 4 it requires a laparoscopy with peritoneal lavage or laparotomy with colon resection and stoma formation, respectively. In patients presenting at the GP with intractable pain or signs of sepsis admission to hospital services is mandatory. Upon hospitalization, CT is the preferred diagnostic imaging modality in patients presenting with abdominal pain and suspected diverticulitis. If colonic diverticulitis is described as the symptoms-eliciting pathology without complications comprising abscess or bowel perforation patients are typically discharged from hospital with painkillers and offered an OC within 4-6 weeks, when the inflammation has resolved, to confirm the diverticulitis diagnosis. Routine OC after an episode of diverticulitis is recommended by the majority of international guidelines including Danish guidelines on handling of patients with diverticulitis. Due to a very low risk of malignancy in patients with diverticulitis the relevance of routine OC has been questioned in a recent review. The research in Colon Capsule Endoscopy (CCE) has evolved substantially since the introduction in 2006. More studies have reported a diagnostic yield equal to OC also in regard to larger polyps > 9 mm. In contrast to OC, CCE does not offer the possibility of biopsy or removal polyp. Hence, the ideal population for CCE needs to have low risk of findings with the need of endoscopic intervention. CCE is without pain and the risk of complications is extremely low compared to colonoscopy for which the estimated risk of major bleeding or perforation is 12 per 10,000 patients.

The investigators aimed to evaluate the effect of introducing CCE on patient satisfaction and discomfort compared to colonoscopy as a follow-up examination in patients with diverticulitis and the impact of introducing CCE on the need for subsequent colonoscopy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients above the age of 18 with in-hospital CT-diagnosed diverticulitis

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Recent imaging of the colonic mucosa and therefore no indication for renewed endoscopy, evaluated by the attending physician.
2. Colonic CT findings that require biopsy (suspected cancer) or polyp removal.
3. CT-verified stenosis in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
4. Cardiac pacemaker
5. Renal insufficiency
6. Pregnancy/breastfeeding
7. Allergies towards active substances administered in the trial
8. Unable to provide oral and written informed consent