Comparison of patients’ tolerance between computed tomography enterography and double-balloon enteroscopy

Maochen ZhangDepartment of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China;Department of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China

Liwen HongDepartment of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China

Qiangqiang WuDepartment of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China

Yun LinDepartment of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China

Mengfan XieDepartment of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China

Rong FanDepartment of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China

Zhengting WangDepartment of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China

Jie ZhouDepartment of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence[email protected] [email protected]

Jie ZhongDepartment of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence[email protected] [email protected]

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Abstract

Background

Computed tomography enterography (CTE) and double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) are widely used in diagnosis of small bowel diseases. Both of these examinations bring discomfort to patients. The aim of this study was to compare patients’ tolerance and preference between CTE and DBE.

Methods

From August 1, 2014 to December 31, 2016, patients with suspected or known small bowel diseases who underwent both CTE and DBE were prospectively enrolled in our study. They were asked to fill out a questionnaire evaluating discomfort of the procedure after each examination.

Results

One hundred and seven patients completed our study. Abdominal distension, painfulness, tenesmus, general discomfort, prolonged duration, difficulty in completing the test, and discomfort after the examination were significantly lower with CTE than with DBE (P<0.001, respectively). Mannitol intake (47.7%), bowel preparation (31.9%), and radiation exposure (15.0%) were regarded as the three most intolerable burdens in CTE. Painfulness (38.3%), bowel preparation (26.2%), and invasiveness (16.8%) were considered as the three most unacceptable parts of DBE. More patients (61.7%) preferred to repeat CTE rather than DBE (P<0.001).

Conclusion

Compared to DBE, CTE was a more tolerable and less burdensome examination and enjoyed higher preference by most patients.

Keywords:

Supplementary materials

Questionnaires used in our study comparing tolerance between computed tomography enterography and double-balloon enteroscopy.

Figure S1 Questionnaire A.

Abbreviation: CTE, computed tomography enterography.

Figure S2 Questionnaire B.

Abbreviations: CTE, computed tomography enterography; DBE, double-balloon enteroscopy.

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (no 81670503 and 81602558) and Shanghai Committee of Science and Technology Foundation (no 16411950408 and 15ZR1426400).

Author contributions

All authors contributed toward data analysis, drafting and critically revising the paper, and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.