Predictors of nonadherence to screening colonoscopy

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy has become a preferred colorectal cancer (CRC) screening modality. Little is known about why patients who are referred for colonoscopy do not complete the recommended procedures. Prior adherence studies have evaluated colonoscopy only in combination with flexible sigmoidoscopy, failed to differentiate between screening and diagnostic procedures, and have examined cancellations/no-shows, but not nonscheduling, as mechanisms of nonadherence. METHODS: Sociodemographic predictors of screening completion were assessed in a retrospective cohort of 647 patients referred for colonoscopy at a major university hospital. Then, using a qualitative study design, a convenience sample of patients who never completed screening after referral (n=52) was interviewed by telephone, and comparisons in reported reasons for nonadherence were made by gender. RESULTS: Half of all patients referred for colonoscopy failed to complete the procedure, overwhelmingly because of nonscheduling. In multivariable analysis, female sex, younger age, and insurance type predicted poorer adherence. Patient-reported barriers to screening completion included cognitive-emotional factors (e.g., lack of perceived risk for CRC, fear of pain, and concerns about modesty and the bowel preparation), logistic obstacles (e.g., cost, other health problems, and competing demands), and health system barriers (e.g., scheduling challenges, long waiting times). Women reported more concerns about modesty and other aspects of the procedure than men. Only 40% of patients were aware of alternative screening options. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to screening colonoscopy referrals is sub-optimal and may be improved by better communication with patients, counseling to help resolve logistic barriers, and improvements in colonoscopy referral and scheduling mechanisms.     

FDG uptake in colonic villous adenomas

Colonic adenomas constitute 70-80% of all colorectal polyps, and their clinical significance relates primarily to their relationship with colorectal cancer. The malignant potential of the polyps detected by FDG-PET is unknown, as not all the colonic lesions identified by FDG-PET represent colorectal malignancies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the rate of FDG-PET positivity within colonic villous adenomas. A pathology database search was performed to identify all patients diagnosed with colonic villous adenoma between June 1, 1996 and December 1, 2000. Patients with a pathologic diagnosis of colonic villous adenoma and who also had a FDG-PET study up to 1 month before colonoscopy were included in this study. FDG-PET findings were compared with pathological features. Of more than 4,000 patients, six patients were diagnosed with colonic adenoma on subsequent colonoscopy following FDG-PET study. Based on the pathological findings, these 6 patients had a total of 2 villous and 9 tubulovillous adenomas. Five of the 6 patients showed foci of increased FDG uptake in the region of the colon that corresponded to the villous adenoma(s) detected on colonoscopy, which accounted for a true-positive rate of 83.3% (5/6 subjects). Focal lesions in the colon seen on FDG-PET examinations need to be investigated further, even though some of these will prove to be villous adenomas rather than colorectal carcinomas. Future studies in a larger number of patients are needed to evaluate the relationship of histopathological features of colonic polyps and detectability of these lesions by FDG-PET.     

Screening of colonic tumors by air-inflated magnetic resonance (MR) colonography

PURPOSE: To assess the accuracy of air-inflated magnetic resonance (MR) colonography for the detection of colonic lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 36 patients underwent both colonoscopy and air-inflated MR colonography. Breath-hold sequences (volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) coronal, and half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE) axial and coronal, both supine and prone) were performed with a 1.5T scanner. The detection of colonic lesions by MR colonography was then correlated with the findings from the colonoscopy performed on the same day. RESULTS: Two patients were unable to complete the MR colonography examination. Analysis was based on the results from 34 patients (17 males and 17 females, 38-70 years old, mean age = 54.9 years) who completed both examinations. MR colonography depicted two of two colonic tumors, one of one P4 (> 2 cm) polyp, one of two P2 (0.5-1 cm) polyps, and two of 11 P1 (< 0.5 cm) polyps. False-positive MR colonography interpretations were noted for one P1 polyp and two P2 polyps. The overall sensitivity, positive predictive value, and accuracy of MR colonography were 38%, 67%, and 46.2%, respectively. For the detection of endoluminal lesions > 5 mm, air-inflated MR colonography yielded a sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 93.3%, accuracy of 91.2%, positive predictive value of 60%, and negative predictive value of 96.6%. CONCLUSION: Air-inflated MR colonography is a new technique that deserves further investigation.     

Is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation an effective analgesia during colonoscopy?

OBJECTIVES—To evaluate the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as analgesia during colonoscopy.
DESIGN—In a randomised controlled trial, patients undergoing diagnostic colonoscopy were assigned to one of three groups: standard medication only (midazolam); active TENS plus standard medication; or non-functioning TENS and standard medication. Efficacy of TENS was determined using numerical rating scores for pain and the post-procedural evaluation questionnaire.
SETTING—Patients undergoing diagnostic colonoscopy in a teaching hospital.
MAIN OUTCOME—There was no statistically significant differences between the three groups. However in the active TENS group there was a greater variation in "physical discomfort" and "psychological distress", suggesting TENS may be effective in subgroup of patients.


     

无痛肠镜在检查中的优势

目的通过普通肠镜与无痛肠镜的对比及分析，体现出无痛肠镜的优势。方法选择2005年1～12月病例343例，其中男151例，女192例。随机分为两组，一组是普通的肠镜检查，另一组是无痛肠镜检查。结果无痛肠镜在检查中无痛苦。不适和恐惧，使肠壁松弛有利于肠镜的顺利通过。结论通过无痛肠镜检查，能使患者在无痛苦的情况下进行检查，使检查医生能在无患者烦躁情绪的干扰下，安静地顺利地进行检查。     

How to manage difficulties with colonoscope insertion

Unsuccessful insertion of a colonoscope is usually as a result of bending or looping of the scope. Looping of the colonoscope increases when too much air is insufflated or the scope is inserted with undue force, resulting in increased pain and risk of perforation. Successful insertion therefore requires careful handling of the scope to keep it straight, careful regulation of air levels, shortening of the colon length by gathering of the colon folds and rapid correction of any looping that should occur. This can be complicated in cases with an unusually long colon or with adhesion. The use of a colonoscope with variable rigidity or a small‐caliber colonoscope is recommended to increase the rate of successful insertion to relieve pain and to prevent accidents.     

SPLENIC RUPTURE FOLLOWING ROUTINE COLONOSCOPY

Splenic rupture is a life‐threatening condition characterized by internal hemorrhage, often difficult to diagnose. Colonoscopy is a gold standard routine diagnostic test to investigate patients with gastrointestinal symptoms as well as to those on the screening program for colorectal cancer. Splenic injury is seldomly discussed during consent for colonoscopy, as opposed to colonic perforation, as its prevalence accounts for less than 0.1%. A 66‐year‐old Caucasian woman with no history of collagen disorder was electively admitted for routine colonoscopy for surveillance of adenoma. She was admitted following the procedure for re‐dosing of warfarin, which was stopped prior to the colonoscopy. The patient was found collapsed on the ward the following day with clinical shock and anemia. Computed tomography demonstrated grade 4 splenic rupture. Immediate blood transfusion and splenectomy was required. Splenic rupture following routine colonoscopy is extremely rare. Awareness of it on this occasion saved the patient's life. Despite it being a rare association, the seriousness warrants inclusion in all information leaflets concerning colonoscopy and during its consent.     

The impact of national guidelines on the waiting list for colonoscopy: a quantitative clinical audit

Objective To assess the compliance of the surveillance colonoscopy waiting list with ACPGBI/BSG guidelines for colonoscopy follow‐up and to measure the impact of adjusting referrals to be inline with the guidelines. Design and Setting This is a quantitative five‐stage clinical audit cycle involving a large patient cohort from the Kent and Medway Cancer Network, which includes seven hospitals across four NHS Hospital Trusts and an estimated population of 1.8 million. Participants 3020 patients were waiting for a surveillance colonoscopy. Their notes were reviewed and the indications for colonoscopy were compared with the ACPGBI/BSG 2002 guidelines. Interventions Those patients whose referral to the surveillance colonoscopy waiting list was not found to be compliant were adjusted to be inline with the guidelines. Main outcome measures The impact of adjusting the surveillance colonoscopy waiting list on the diagnostic colonoscopy service was assessed by measuring the average waiting times for a colonoscopy before and after the intervention. Results Around 22% (n = 664) of surveillance colonoscopy referrals were inline with the guidelines, 51% (n = 1540) could be cancelled from the list and 27% (n = 816) could be given a new date. Implementing these recommendations reduced the average wait for a diagnostic colonoscopy from 76.8 to 56.0 days (P = 0.0022). Conclusion Following guidelines for surveillance colonoscopy can reduce waiting times for diagnostic colonoscopy. This allows a faster patient journey for diagnostic colonoscopy and a uniform plan for duration and frequency of surveillance colonoscopy. However, this action promoted serious debate on the social, moral and ethical issues.     

双镜联合治疗结直肠肿瘤32例

目的探讨腹腔镜联合结肠镜切除结直肠肿瘤的临床应用价值。方法回顾性分析应用腹腔镜结肠镜治疗32例结直肠肿瘤患者的临床资料。结果双镜联合治疗平均手术时间100 mL,平均术中出血量50 mL,平均恢复半流饮食时间3 d,平均住院时间9 d。出现1例为吻合口漏。所有病例随访时间3～36个月,均无残留或复发、转移。结论对小肿瘤和术前肠镜不能通过癌肿者实施双镜联合治疗,可准确病灶定位和排除近端多原发癌。