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Open Access
CC BY 4.0 · Endoscopy 2026; 58(03): 242-250
DOI: 10.1055/a-2695-6904
Original article

Colon capsule endoscopy compared with conventional colonoscopy in patients with colonic diverticulitis: a randomized controlled superiority trial on patient-reported outcomes

Authors

  • Camilla Thorndal 

    1   Department of Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN11286)

  • Benedicte Schelde-Olesen

    2   Department of Sugery, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN11286)
    3   Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN6174)

  • Lasse Kaalby

    2   Department of Sugery, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN11286)
    3   Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN6174)

  • Ulrik Deding 

    3   Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN6174)
    1   Department of Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN11286)

  • Maja Mi Thygesen

    1   Department of Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN11286)

  • Rene Depont

    1   Department of Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN11286)

  • Lea Østergaard Hansen

    1   Department of Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN11286)

  • Per Vadgaard Andersen

    1   Department of Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN11286)
    3   Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN6174)

  • Gunnar Baatrup

    1   Department of Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN11286)
    3   Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN6174)

  • Anastasios Koulaouzidis 

    4   Department of Gastroenterology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
    3   Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN6174)
    5   Department of Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN11286)

  • Thomas Bjørsum-Meyer 

    1   Department of Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN11286)
    3   Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark (Ringgold ID: RIN6174)

Supported by: CICA (Centre for Clinical Implementation of Capsule Endoscopy)

Clinical Trial:

Registration number (trial ID): NC05700981, Trial registry: ClinicalTrials.gov (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/), Type of Study: Randomized


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Graphical Abstract

Abstract

Background

In the Danish health care system, follow-up colonoscopy is standard after a colonic diverticulitis episode in order to exclude malignancy. Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) is a diagnostic alternative to colonoscopy. This study compared patient-reported outcomes of CCE versus colonoscopy after diverticulitis episodes.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial was conducted in patients with computed tomography-verified diverticulitis from Odense University Hospital. Patients were randomized to either CCE or colonoscopy 4–6 weeks after discharge. The primary outcome was patient-reported experienced physical and mental discomfort related to the procedures. Secondary outcomes were expected physical and mental discomfort, examination preference, proportion of complete examinations, and frequency of polyps and colorectal cancer.

Results

159 patients were randomized, with 148 receiving their allocated intervention and 83 completing the questionnaires. Demographic data were comparable between the two groups. No adverse events were observed. Patients expected greater physical and mental discomfort with colonoscopy than with CCE. However, no significant difference was found in experienced physical and mental discomfort between CCE and colonoscopy. For hypothetical future events, 49% of patients would prefer CCE, 13% would prefer colonoscopy, and 38% did not know. Complete examinations were reported for 84% of CCEs and 92% of colonoscopies. No malignant lesions were found.

Conclusions

CCE was a safe follow-up procedure after a diverticulitis episode. CCE was preferred to colonoscopy by most patients who reported their experience. No difference was observed regarding experienced physical and mental discomfort between the groups completing the questionnaires.



Publication History

Received: 06 December 2024

Accepted after revision: 17 August 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
04 September 2025

Article published online:
17 October 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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