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Dose the Saline Reduce the Mucus Production When Water Exchange Colonoscopy is Used?

Comparing Left Colon Mucus Production by Water Versus Saline Infusion During Water Exchange Colonoscopy: a Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04769739
Enrollment
301
Registered
2021-02-24
Start date
2021-08-04
Completion date
2022-04-30
Last updated
2024-01-05

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Colon Mucous, Colonoscopy

Keywords

Colonoscopy, Colon Mucus, Water Exchange, Saline

Brief summary

This is a study to compare the left colon mucus production between carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation and water exchange (WE) colonoscopy in patients that require a routine or repeat colonoscopy. There will be four arms in this study: CO2 insufflation (control group 1), WE with water infusion (control group 2), WE with 50% saline infusion (study group 1), and WE with 25% saline infusion (study group 2). The patient will prepare himself/herself for the colonoscopy as per normal instructions and he/she will be given the information for the study at that time so that he/she can make a decision to participate in the study. The WE control group will use sterile water filling during colonoscope insertion. The study method will use saline filling during colonoscopy insertion. This study will confirm if using the saline infusion is a better method in reducing mucus production when WE colonoscopy is used.

Detailed description

This will be a single-site (Evergreen General Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan), blinded investigators, prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT). Felix W. Leung (from Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, North Hills, CA) will be involved in the study design, data analysis, and report preparation, but not in patient enrollment. Randomization (CO2, WE with water, WE with 50% saline, WE with 25% saline) will be based on computer generated random numbers placed inside opaque sealed envelopes. The envelope (in pre-arranged order) will be opened to reveal the code when the colonoscopist is ready to insert the endoscope to begin the examination. This will be a comparison of two different insertion methods with four arms (CO2 insufflation, WE with water, WE with 50% saline, WE with 25% saline) to see which solution used in WE is better in reducing mucus production. Patients who are willing to participate will sign an informed consent before starting the colonoscopy procedure. Randomization will be stratified by investigators and indication of colonoscopy (screening, surveillance, or positive fecal immunochemical test). All participating patients will receive conscious sedation during the colonoscopic examination. Randomization (prepared by statistics consultant) will be carried out by the method of random permuted block design (based on computer generated random numbers) with variable block of 3 and 6. Control method: One arm of the study will include colonoscopy with water infusion during insertion as the control method. Residual air in the colon will be removed and sterile water will be infused to guide insertion through an airless lumen. Infused water will be removed by suction, along with residual fecal debris, predominantly during insertion. Another arm of the study will include colonoscopy with CO2 insufflation during insertion as an additional control method. Study method: Two arms of the study will include colonoscopy with saline infusion of different strength, i.e., 50% saline and 25% saline, during insertion. Residual air in the colon will be removed and saline solution will be infused to guide insertion through an airless lumen. Infused saline will be removed by suction, along with residual fecal debris, predominantly during insertion.

Interventions

OTHERCO2

using CO2 insufflation to help insertion

OTHERWater

using water instead of traditional gas to help insertion

OTHER50% saline

using 50% saline solution instead of traditional gas to help insertion

OTHER25% saline

using 25% saline solution instead of traditional gas to help insertion

Sponsors

Evergreen General Hospital, Taiwan
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SCREENING
Masking
DOUBLE (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
20 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Male and female 20-75 years of age * Positive screening for Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) * Subjects willing to undergo routine screening and surveillance colonoscopy

Exclusion criteria

* Patients who decline to provide informed consent * Patients known to have colonic obstruction, active inflammatory bowel disease, or active GI bleeding requiring interventions * Patients known to have prior history of colonic resection * Patients with genetic colorectal syndromes * Patients who are scheduled for therapeutic colonoscopy (e.g., hemostasis, removal of large polyp) * Patients with American Society of Anesthesiology classification of physical status grade 3 or higher

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Left Colon Mucus Score2 hours (data collected during colonoscopy procedure)The amount of residual mucus in the left colon (descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum) is scaled by a mucus score (5-point scale): score 0: no visible mucus; score 1: minimal amounts of clear mucus in thin streaks or strands; score 2: mild opaque mucus in thin strands; score 3: moderate opaque mucus in thicker clumps covering one side of surface; score 4: more opaque mucus in thicker clumps covering more views of lumen.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Adenoma Detection Rateone week (data analyzed after the pathology results were available)The percentage of individuals undergoing a complete screening colonoscopy who have one or more adenomas detected according to the pathology reports.
Number of Participants With Cecal Intubation2 hours (data collected during colonoscopy procedure)Number of participants who had a colonoscopy images confirming visualization of ileocecal valve/appendix orifice and the medial wall of the cecum with colonoscope tip touching floor of cecum
Boston Bowel Preparation Scale Score2 hours (data collected during colonoscopy procedure)Three iindividual segments (right colon, transverse colon, left colon), each with score of 0 to 3 (poor to excellent) will be evlauated separately using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale. A tota Boston Bowel Preparation Scale score, sum of three-segmental score (range 0-9), will be reported.
Cecal Intubation Time2 hours (data collected during colonoscopy procedure)Total time from insertion into the anus to arrival in the cecum
Withdrawal Inspection Time2 hours (data collected during colonoscopy procedure)Total inspection time during withdrawal from the cecum to the anus

Countries

Taiwan

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
CO2 Insufflation
Colonoscopy will be performed in the traditional fashion, with minimal insufflation required to aid insertion. Cleaning in the CO2 group will be performed entirely during withdrawal. CO2: using CO2 insufflation to help insertion
70
WE With Water
Residual air in the colon will be removed, water will be infused to guide insertion through an airless lumen. Infused water will be removed by suction, along with residual decal debris, predominantly during insertion. Water: using water instead of traditional gas to help insertion
75
WE With 50% Saline
Residual air in the colon will be removed, 50% salline (1:1 mixture of saline and water) will be infused to guide insertion through an airless lumen. Infused saline will be removed by suction, along with residual decal debris, predominantly during insertion. 50% saline: using 50% saline solution instead of traditional gas to help insertion
76
WE With 25% Saline
Residual air in the colon will be removed, 25% saline (1:3 mixture of saline and water) will be infused to guide insertion through an airless lumen. Infused saline will be removed by suction, along with residual decal debris, predominantly during insertion. 25% saline: using 25% saline solution instead of traditional gas to help insertion
75
Total296

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001FG002FG003
Overall StudyColorectal cancer obstruction2000
Overall StudyFailed cecal intubation1001
Overall StudyPoor bowel preparation0001

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicWE With WaterWE With 50% SalineWE With 25% SalineTotalCO2 Insufflation
Age, Continuous51.4 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.7
53.0 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.5
52.0 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.9
51.9 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.9
51.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected0 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Taiwan
75 Participants76 Participants75 Participants296 Participants70 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
32 Participants43 Participants38 Participants150 Participants37 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
43 Participants33 Participants37 Participants146 Participants33 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
EG003
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 700 / 750 / 760 / 75
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 700 / 750 / 760 / 75
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 700 / 750 / 760 / 75

Outcome results

Primary

Left Colon Mucus Score

The amount of residual mucus in the left colon (descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum) is scaled by a mucus score (5-point scale): score 0: no visible mucus; score 1: minimal amounts of clear mucus in thin streaks or strands; score 2: mild opaque mucus in thin strands; score 3: moderate opaque mucus in thicker clumps covering one side of surface; score 4: more opaque mucus in thicker clumps covering more views of lumen.

Time frame: 2 hours (data collected during colonoscopy procedure)

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
CO2 InsufflationLeft Colon Mucus Score0.2 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.38
WE With WaterLeft Colon Mucus Score1.4 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.84
WE With 50% SalineLeft Colon Mucus Score0.5 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.5
WE With 25% SalineLeft Colon Mucus Score0.7 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.63
Secondary

Adenoma Detection Rate

The percentage of individuals undergoing a complete screening colonoscopy who have one or more adenomas detected according to the pathology reports.

Time frame: one week (data analyzed after the pathology results were available)

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
CO2 InsufflationAdenoma Detection Rate35 Participants
WE With WaterAdenoma Detection Rate31 Participants
WE With 50% SalineAdenoma Detection Rate41 Participants
WE With 25% SalineAdenoma Detection Rate35 Participants
Secondary

Boston Bowel Preparation Scale Score

Three iindividual segments (right colon, transverse colon, left colon), each with score of 0 to 3 (poor to excellent) will be evlauated separately using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale. A tota Boston Bowel Preparation Scale score, sum of three-segmental score (range 0-9), will be reported.

Time frame: 2 hours (data collected during colonoscopy procedure)

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
CO2 InsufflationBoston Bowel Preparation Scale Score7.0 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.5
WE With WaterBoston Bowel Preparation Scale Score7.1 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.7
WE With 50% SalineBoston Bowel Preparation Scale Score7.8 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.7
WE With 25% SalineBoston Bowel Preparation Scale Score7.6 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.7
Secondary

Cecal Intubation Time

Total time from insertion into the anus to arrival in the cecum

Time frame: 2 hours (data collected during colonoscopy procedure)

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
CO2 InsufflationCecal Intubation Time10.0 minutesStandard Deviation 6
WE With WaterCecal Intubation Time18.0 minutesStandard Deviation 6.2
WE With 50% SalineCecal Intubation Time18.4 minutesStandard Deviation 7.1
WE With 25% SalineCecal Intubation Time18.6 minutesStandard Deviation 9.1
Secondary

Number of Participants With Cecal Intubation

Number of participants who had a colonoscopy images confirming visualization of ileocecal valve/appendix orifice and the medial wall of the cecum with colonoscope tip touching floor of cecum

Time frame: 2 hours (data collected during colonoscopy procedure)

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
CO2 InsufflationNumber of Participants With Cecal Intubation70 Participants
WE With WaterNumber of Participants With Cecal Intubation75 Participants
WE With 50% SalineNumber of Participants With Cecal Intubation76 Participants
WE With 25% SalineNumber of Participants With Cecal Intubation75 Participants
Secondary

Withdrawal Inspection Time

Total inspection time during withdrawal from the cecum to the anus

Time frame: 2 hours (data collected during colonoscopy procedure)

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
CO2 InsufflationWithdrawal Inspection Time20.2 minutesStandard Deviation 6.4
WE With WaterWithdrawal Inspection Time17.1 minutesStandard Deviation 5.4
WE With 50% SalineWithdrawal Inspection Time17.2 minutesStandard Deviation 5.3
WE With 25% SalineWithdrawal Inspection Time16.6 minutesStandard Deviation 5.4

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026