Patient tolerance and acceptance of different colonic imaging modalities: an observational cohort study

BACKGROUNDLess invasive alternatives to optical colonoscopy (OC) may improve patient compliance with investigation, but study of patient preference is limited. OBJECTIVESThe aims of this study were to determine patient tolerance and acceptability of OC, computed tomography colonography (CTC) and colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) and also to determine the choice of investigation made by fully informed members of the lay public. PATIENTS AND METHODSPatients assigned a Gloucester Comfort Score (GCS, 1–5; as did endoscopists), an overall test experience score (visual analogue scale, 0–10) and completed a ‘Friends and Family Test’ following OC, CTC or CCE. In the second part of the study, members of the public were given information detailing the nature, tolerance, acceptability, risks and outcomes and invited to choose which test they would prefer in the event that one was needed. RESULTSAssessed by endoscopist and patient, respectively, 24.2 and 49.3% (P