Risk factors associated with longer cecal intubation time: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Cecal intubation time (CIT) is an indicator for difficult colonoscopy which is associated with patients' unpleasant experience as well as increased risk of complications. Several studies have attempted to identify predictors for prolonged CIT but those studies tended to be small which gave rise to inconsistent and underpowered results. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to summarize all available data.

MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched through November 2017 for studies that investigated the factors for prolonged CIT. Only factors that were reported by at least three studies were included in the meta-analyses. Pooled mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using random effects model. The between-study heterogeneity of effect size was quantified using the Q statistic and I².

A total of nine studies involving 7131 patients were included. A total of six factors were analyzed. Patients with older age (≥ 65 versus < 65), female sex (versus male), low body mass index (BMI) (< 25 versus ≥ 25 kg/m²), and poor bowel preparation (versus fair to good) had significantly longer CIT. The presence of diverticulosis and prior abdominal surgery were not significantly associated with prolonged CIT.

The current meta-analyses have demonstrated that old age, female sex, low BMI, and poor bowel preparation were the predictors for prolonged CIT.