Differences in Preparation for Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy

The introduction of video capsule endoscopy in 2000 has provided a convenient and minimally invasive imaging method for the whole small bowel. Capsule Endoscopy is used to investigate a number of conditions such as obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, iron deficiency anaemia, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, small bowel tumors, and hereditary polyposis syndromes. However, Capsule Endoscopy capsules are not able to suction fluid or wash the intestine, thus making it susceptible to decreased visualization quality and diagnostic yield due to dark intestinal contents or air bubbles. In order to determine the best method for bowel preparation before Capsule Endoscopy, this study seeks to determine in patients undergoing small intestine Capsule Endoscopy if split dose Polyethylene Glycol or single morning dose of Polyethylene Glycol have a benefit in Visualisation quality when compared to clear fluids only. A co-primary outcome will also be the diagnostic yield, as measured by the aggregate of all the active preparation groups compared to than clear fluids only group. Secondary outcome measures will include tolerance of preparations, cleanliness as assessed by a validated 4 point scale, distal small bowel visualization (the last 1/4 of small bowel examination by time) and small bowel transit time (measured as time from first duodenal image to first cecal image). Adult outpatients referred for small bowel video capsule endoscopy will be considered for the study and this will run in the clinical environment as per routine. Patients will have been referred for capsule endoscopy as per normal clinical practice so not additional procedure will take place. Patients will be randomly assigned to in a one to one fashion to one of three groups in order to explore whether bowel preparation (either as a single or divided dose) produce better cleansing and diagnostic yield than no preparation at all in small bowel capsule endoscopy.

In order to determine the best method for bowel preparation before Capsule Endoscopy, this study seeks to determine in patients undergoing small intestine Capsule Endoscopy if split dose Polyethylene Glycol or single morning dose of Polyethylene Glycol have a benefit in Visualisation quality when compared to clear fluids only. A co-primary outcome will also be the diagnostic yield, as measured by the aggregate of all the active preparation groups compared to than clear fluids only group. Secondary outcome measures will include tolerance of preparations, cleanliness as assessed by a validated 4 point scale, distal small bowel visualization (the last 1/4 of small bowel examination by time) and small bowel transit time (measured as time from first duodenal image to first cecal image).

Group Assignment:

The groups will have some common instructions: all groups will be instructed to stop iron supplements five days prior to the exam. On the day prior to the exam, patients will be instructed to have a light breakfast and lunch, followed by only clear fluids. Over the day, patients will be encouraged to have at least two litres of clear fluids. On the day of the exam, 80 mg of oral simethicone will be given 10 minutes prior to the exam. The capsule will be ingested at 9:00am, after which fluids may be consumed 2 hours later, and solid food 4 hours later. Patients will be randomly assigned to in a one to one fashion to one of three groups using a central online randomization program. The groups for this project include:

A. Control: no additional instructions beyond those above will be given. B. Single dose Polyethylene Glycol: Patients will take 2 litre of Polyethylene Glycol at 6am the day of the exam.

C. Split dose Polyethylene Glycol: Patients will take 1 litre of Polyethylene Glycol at 7pm the evening prior to the exam and 1 litre at 6am the day of the exam.

Recruitment of patients will be performed from outpatient gastroenterology clinics at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. After a request for Capsule Endoscopy from a referring physician, the patient will be contacted by telephone by one of the Capsule endoscopy nurse specialists (who are also involved in the study) as per normal practice. The study will be discussed, the procedure explained and a convenient date for the procedure will be agreed with the patient. The patient will be invited to meet with one of the research staff at a mutually agreed time in order to go through the study once more and provide written consent should they agree to participate. Should they wish to participate but would prefer to complete a postal consent form, this will be arranged. The procedure will be completed according to normal practice. Patients will be advised that they can withdraw from the study at any point and choose a preferred option for bowel preparation

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult outpatients (18 years or older)
* routinely referred for small bowel video capsule endoscopy (CE)

Exclusion Criteria:

* dysphagia
* severe gastroparesis requiring endoscopic placement of capsule
* small bowel obstruction
* pregnancy