Is Barium Enema an Adequate Diagnostic Test for Patients With Positive FOBT?

The research protocol aim is to compare diagnostic tools for the proper evaluation of patient with fecal occult blood test positive (FOBT +), a routine screening test for colorecatl carcinoma. The purpose of this study is to determine if Double Contrast Barium Enema (DCBE), a specialized radiographic exam of the colon, is a reasonable alternative for the evaluation of patients with positive fecal occult blood as compared to colonoscopy, which is considered the best evaluation method. Colonoscopy involves the direct visualization of the colon using a flexible instrument. This permits the removal of polyps and to obtain biopsies. It involves additional risks, discomfort and costs. In fact the DCBE is the experimental procedure in this protocol.

Additional aims of this study are: to determine the localization, number, size and pathologic characteristics, if applicable, of findings in colonoscopy and/or DCBE and to determine the patient preference between both studies.

This study is limited to those patients 50 years or older who are at average risk for colon cancer and who had a positive fecal occult blood screening test.

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Key information

Conditions

Colorectal Cancer Colonic Diseases Colonic Polyps Colorectal Neoplasms Digestive System Diseases Digestive System Neoplasms Gastrointestinal Diseases Gastrointestinal Neoplasms Intestinal Diseases Intestinal Neoplasms Intestinal Polyps Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site Pathological Conditions, Anatomical Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Polyps Rectal Diseases

Age range

50 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Asymptomatic patients older than 50 years of age, with at least one positive FOBT
Without history of colon cancer and/or polyps
Gross gastrointestinal bleeding or prior colonoscopy or DCBE
Who were willing to participate in the study
Were included in the investigation.

Exclusion criteria

Patients with poor cardio-respiratory condition
Coagulation deficiency, use of anticoagulants or other drugs affecting coagulation
Severe renal or liver disease
Hospitalized patients and palpable abdominal or rectal mass were excluded from the study.

Treatment and study plan

Double-contrast Barium enema, colonoscopy

Procedure

This is a blinded cohort study comparing double contrast barium enema (DCBE) and colonoscopy in detecting polyps and/or cancer in patients with positive FOBT. Initial evaluation consisted of complete clinical history and physical examination. A DCBE and a colonoscopy were performed in all patients. All polyps identified during colonoscopy were removed and classified by histology. Sensitivity and specificity of DCBE for polyp and/or cancer detection was determined. Tolerability and grade of satisfaction with study procedures was assessed.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

VA Caribbean Healthcare System

Fed

Registry information

Acronym: DCBE

Important dates

Study start: 2003
Primary completion: 2005
Study completion: 2005
First posted: Feb 21, 2008
Registry last updated: Feb 21, 2008

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed