Diagnostic Accuracy for Per-Patient Polyp Detection of Second-Generation Capsule Endoscopy Compared to Colonoscopy: A Meta-Analysis of Multicenter Studies

Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) or capsule colonoscopy can be used as colorectal cancer (CRC) screening option. We intended to analyze the concerning literature that compared second-generation CCE to standard colonoscopy for multicenter studies only. A literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Study characteristics related to our research including sensitivity and specificity for per-patient polyps detection (size: ≥ 10 mm and ≥ 6 mm). Meta-analysis was performed using an open meta-analyst. Our research included five studies, involving a total of 1518 patients, with a total of 1305 analyzed patients. The adequate bowel preparation rate ranged from 70% to 90%. The rates of complete CCE transit fluctuated from 80% to 100%. Our meta-analysis illustrated that mean (95% confidence interval) per-patient sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio were: 0.86 (0.82-0.91) (p < 0.001), 0.88 (0.72-0.96) (p < 0.001), and 50.7 (18.5-138.9) (p < 0.001), respectively, for polyps ≥ 6 mm; and 0.86 (0.8-0.91) (p < 0.001), 0.96 (0.92-0.98) (p < 0.001), and 173.5 (98.4-305.8) (p < 0.001), respectively, for polyps ≥ 10 mm. We concluded that CCE had high sensitivity and specificity for per-patient polyps vs. standard colonoscopy. Nevertheless, the comparatively higher rate of unfinished CCEs limits the utilization of CCE for CRC screening.