Patient acceptance for CT colonography: what is the real issue?

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Colonoscopy is the standard for colorectal cancer screening but can be uncomfortable.
• CT colonography (CTC) offers a less invasive alternative, but patient acceptance requires evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare patient discomfort and preference between CT colonography and conventional colonoscopy.
• To identify factors influencing patient preference for follow-up colorectal cancer screening.

Main Methods:

• 124 patients undergoing both multidetector CT colonography and conventional colonoscopy were surveyed.
• Patient acceptance and preference were assessed during preparation, CT, and colonoscopy procedures.
• Retrospective interviews explored discrepancies between discomfort and preference.

Main Results:

• Colonoscopy was rated slightly more uncomfortable than CTC, with bowel preparation being the most uncomfortable aspect for both.
• 71% of patients preferred CTC for follow-up, citing faster procedure, lower physical challenge, and no sedation.
• Patient preference for CTC was observed even when discomfort levels were similar or higher than colonoscopy.

Conclusions:

• Factors beyond physical discomfort, such as procedure time and invasiveness, significantly influence patient preference for CTC.
• Improving bowel preparation is crucial for enhancing patient acceptance of CTC.
• CTC is a preferred option for many patients due to its advantages over conventional colonoscopy.