Conditions: Colon Cancer Rectal Cancer Colonic Diverticulosis
Keywords: Colonoscopy Propofol Cancer Screening
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: PARALLEL
Enrollment: 289
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
The study aim is to determine if Propofol or the combination of Fentanyl and low-dose Midazolam, are equivalent for patient satisfaction and discomfort when undergoing a colonoscopy. This is a prospective randomized study of 262. The primary outcome of this study is participant's satisfaction and discomfort of the colonoscopy procedure as perceived by the participant, and the secondary outcome will be the discomfort of the patient and difficulty of the procedure as perceived by the physician.

Detailed description:
Background The use of colonoscopy has become an important diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the evaluation of multiple medical conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Despite its widespread use, there continues to be debate concerning the best pharmacologic approach to patient satisfaction and discomfort of the procedure and to minimize side effects.

Aim Two standard pharmacologic (Propofol or Fentanyl and low-dose Midazolam) approaches for colonoscopy will be evaluated systematically to determine if these two approaches are equivalent in terms of patient rating of satisfaction and patient discomfort to the procedure and side effects

Study Design This is a prospective randomized study of 262 participants undergoing outpatient colonoscopy at an independent academic medical center. The primary outcome of this study is participant's satisfaction, and the secondary outcome is discomfort of the patient as perceived by the physician performing the procedure.

Other Variables of Interest.

* Duration of procedure as defined by time the patient arrives in the room to the time the patient is appropriate for discharge.
* Difficulty of procedure rated by the physician on a scale of 0-10
* Colonoscopy completion rates (intubation of cecum).
* Complications including oxygen desaturation or hypotension.
* Cost of the two medication regiments

Arms:
arm 1: Fentanyl and Midazolam sedation for colonoscopy discomfort arm 2: Propofol sedation for colonoscopy discomfort

Interventions: intervention 1: Fentanyl intervention 2: Propofol intervention 3: Midazolam
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Fentanyl will be administered IV according to standard procedure for colonoscopy. Initial dose will consist of no more than 50µg of Fentanyl. Patient response will be monitored for 30-60 seconds of observation before deciding to administer more Fentanyl in no more than 50µg increments. increments. intervention 2: Propofol will be administered IV according to standard procedure for colonoscopy. The initial bolus of propofol will be up to 60 mg IV. Patient response will be monitored for 30-60 seconds of observation before deciding to administer more sedation in 10-20 mg boluses. intervention 3: Midazolam will be administered IV according to standard procedure for colonoscopy. Initial dose will consist of no more than 2 mg of Midazolam. Patient response will be monitored for 30-60 seconds of observation before deciding to administer more Midazolam in no more than 2 mg increments.

Protocol document: