Colonoscopy without prior preparation in mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Endoscopy

Background:

• Ulcerative colitis diagnosis and monitoring rely on colonoscopy.
• Bowel preparation is standard for colonoscopy but can be burdensome.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic yield of colonoscopy with and without preparation in mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis.
• To compare the ability to assess disease extent and visualize mucosa.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 253 colonoscopies in patients with mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis.
• Group A: No preparation (n=72).
• Group B: Diphosphosoda enemas (n=181).

Main Results:

• Failure rates were low: 3/72 (4%) in group A vs. 11/181 (6%) in group B.
• Optimal viewing conditions beyond the inflamed area were achieved in 71% (group A) and 83% (group B).
• Cecal intubation rates were similar: 16% in group A vs. 18% in group B.

Conclusions:

• Colonoscopy in mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis can be performed without bowel preparation.
• Diagnostic yield and visualization are comparable to procedures with preparatory enemas.
• Eliminating preparation simplifies the procedure without compromising diagnostic accuracy.