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WASh multicentre randomised controlled trial: Water-assisted sigmoidoscopy in English NHS bowel scope screening

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Matt Rutter, Jennifer Deane, Professor Colin Rees

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).


Abstract

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ. Objectives: The English Bowel Cancer Screening Programme invites 55 year olds for a sigmoidoscopy (Bowel Scope Screening (BSS)), aiming to resect premalignant polyps, thus reducing cancer incidence. A national patient survey indicated higher procedural pain than anticipated, potentially impacting on screening compliance and effectiveness. We aimed to assess whether water-assisted sigmoidoscopy (WAS), as opposed to standard CO2 technique, improved procedural pain and detection of adenomatous polyps. Design: The WASh (Water-Assisted Sigmoidoscopy) trial was a multicentre, single-blind, randomised control trial for people undergoing BSS. Participants were randomised to either receive WAS or CO2 from five sites across England. The primary outcome measure was patient-reported moderate/severe pain, as assessed by patients on a standard Likert scale post procedure prior to discharge. The key secondary outcome was adenoma detection rate (ADR). The costs of each technique were also measured. Results: 1123 participants (50% women, mean age 55) were randomised (561 WAS, 562 CO2). We found no difference in patient-reported moderate/severe pain between WAS and CO2 (14% in WAS, 15% in CO2; p=0.47). ADR was 15% in the CO2 arm and 11% in the WAS arm (p=0.03); however, it remained above the minimum national performance standard in both arms. There was no statistical difference in mean number of adenomas nor overall polyp detection rate. There was negligible cost difference between the two techniques. Conclusion: In the context of enema-prepared unsedated screening sigmoidoscopies performed by screening-accredited endoscopists, no difference in patient-reported pain was seen when using either a CO2 or WAS intubation technique. Trial registration number: ISRCTN81466870.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Rutter MD, Evans R, Hoare Z, Von Wagner C, Deane J, Esmaily S, Larkin T, Edwards R, Yeo ST, Spencer LH, Holmes E, Saunders BP, Rees CJ, Tsiamoulos ZP, Beintaris I

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Gut

Year: 2021

Volume: 70

Issue: 5

Pages: 845-852

Print publication date: 01/05/2021

Online publication date: 07/09/2020

Acceptance date: 03/08/2020

Date deposited: 04/06/2021

ISSN (print): 0017-5749

ISSN (electronic): 1468-3288

Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group

URL: https://doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2020-321918

DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2020-321918

PubMed id: 32895334


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
PB-PG-1215–20035

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