Novel prucalopride-containing bowel cleansing regimen improves completion rates of colon capsule endoscopy

Background Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) is an alternative to optical colonoscopy and CT colonography for the investigation of the large bowel. It is less invasive but still needs bowel preparation to adequately visualise the colon. CCE can be limited by incomplete examination. Recent evidence suggests that the addition of prucalopride can increase completion rates. Our institution changed the CCE bowel preparation regimen and included this drug in May 2023. Here, we report the rates of CCE completion after its introduction. Methods The outcomes for those who had the new preparation (with prucalopride) were compared with those of the cohort who underwent the old preparation, providing two similarly sized groups. All data were collected prospectively using a dedicated endoscopy software system (EMS Medilogik) and then analysed retrospectively. Results 381 patients had the old preparation between October 2022 and May 2023 and 379 had the new preparation between May and December 2023. The completion rate was higher with the new, 305/379 (80.5%) compared 270/381 (70.9%) with the old regimen, p≤0.005. There was no difference in the quality of bowel cleansing between the two groups with a mean bowel cleansing score of 4.03 out of 9 in both. Both groups required a similar rate of additional luminal investigation following CCE, 210 (55.4%) with the new regimen and 220 (57.7%) with the old, p=0.52. Conclusion The new prucalopride-containing CCE preparation improves completion rates. It has no impact on the quality of bowel cleansing or the need for further endoscopy.