Endoscopy 2022; 54(12): 1171-1179
DOI: 10.1055/a-1849-6878
Original article

Efficacy of a computer-aided detection system in a fecal immunochemical test-based organized colorectal cancer screening program: a randomized controlled trial (AIFIT study)

Authors

  • Emanuele Rondonotti

    1   Gastroenterology Unit, Valduce Hospital, Como, Italy
  • Dhanai Di Paolo

    1   Gastroenterology Unit, Valduce Hospital, Como, Italy
    2   Foundation IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Milan, Italy
  • Erik Rosa Rizzotto

    3   Gastroenterology Unit, St. Antonio Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Padova, Italy
  • Costanza Alvisi

    4   USD Endoscopia Digestiva, ASST Pavia, Pavia, Italy
  • Elisabetta Buscarini

    5   Gastroenterology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera “Ospedale Maggiore”, Crema, Italy
  • Marco Spadaccini

    6   Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
    7   Endoscopy Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
  • Giacomo Tamanini

    1   Gastroenterology Unit, Valduce Hospital, Como, Italy
  • Silvia Paggi

    1   Gastroenterology Unit, Valduce Hospital, Como, Italy
  • Arnaldo Amato

    1   Gastroenterology Unit, Valduce Hospital, Como, Italy
  • Giulia Scardino

    1   Gastroenterology Unit, Valduce Hospital, Como, Italy
  • Samanta Romeo

    5   Gastroenterology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera “Ospedale Maggiore”, Crema, Italy
  • Saverio Alicante

    5   Gastroenterology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera “Ospedale Maggiore”, Crema, Italy
  • Fabio Ancona

    3   Gastroenterology Unit, St. Antonio Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Padova, Italy
  • Ennio Guido

    3   Gastroenterology Unit, St. Antonio Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Padova, Italy
  • Vincenza Marzo

    4   USD Endoscopia Digestiva, ASST Pavia, Pavia, Italy
  • Fabio Chicco

    4   USD Endoscopia Digestiva, ASST Pavia, Pavia, Italy
  • Simona Agazzi

    4   USD Endoscopia Digestiva, ASST Pavia, Pavia, Italy
  • Cesare Rosa

    4   USD Endoscopia Digestiva, ASST Pavia, Pavia, Italy
  • Loredana Correale

    6   Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
  • Alessandro Repici

    6   Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
    7   Endoscopy Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
  • Cesare Hassan

    6   Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
    7   Endoscopy Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
  • Franco Radaelli

    1   Gastroenterology Unit, Valduce Hospital, Como, Italy
  • on behalf of the AIFIT Study Group
Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Registration number (trial ID): NCT04691401 Type of study: Prospective, Multicentre, Randomized, Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background Computer-aided detection (CADe) increases adenoma detection in primary screening colonoscopy. The potential benefit of CADe in a fecal immunochemical test (FIT)-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program is unknown. This study assessed whether use of CADe increases the adenoma detection rate (ADR) in a FIT-based CRC screening program.

Methods In a multicenter, randomized trial, FIT-positive individuals aged 50–74 years undergoing colonoscopy, were randomized (1:1) to receive high definition white-light (HDWL) colonoscopy, with or without a real-time deep-learning CADe by endoscopists with baseline ADR > 25 %. The primary outcome was ADR. Secondary outcomes were mean number of adenomas per colonoscopy (APC) and advanced adenoma detection rate (advanced-ADR). Subgroup analysis according to baseline endoscopists’ ADR (≤ 40 %, 41 %–45 %, ≥ 46 %) was also performed.

Results 800 individuals (median age 61.0 years [interquartile range 55–67]; 409 men) were included: 405 underwent CADe-assisted colonoscopy and 395 underwent HDWL colonoscopy alone. ADR and APC were significantly higher in the CADe group than in the HDWL arm: ADR 53.6 % (95 %CI 48.6 %–58.5 %) vs. 45.3 % (95 %CI 40.3 %–50.45 %; RR 1.18; 95 %CI 1.03–1.36); APC 1.13 (SD 1.54) vs. 0.90 (SD 1.32; P  = 0.03). No significant difference in advanced-ADR was found (18.5 % [95 %CI 14.8 %–22.6 %] vs. 15.9 % [95 %CI 12.5 %–19.9 %], respectively). An increase in ADR was observed in all endoscopist groups regardless of baseline ADR.

Conclusions Incorporating CADe significantly increased ADR and APC in the framework of a FIT-based CRC screening program. The impact of CADe appeared to be consistent regardless of endoscopist baseline ADR.



Publication History

Received: 01 February 2022

Accepted after revision: 11 May 2022

Accepted Manuscript online:
11 May 2022

Article published online:
12 July 2022

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