"Background: According to the Health Promotion Administration of Taiwan and the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer ranks 3rd in cancer-related deaths in Taiwan and 2nd in the United States. Each year, about 900,000 people die from colorectal cancer in the U.S. Before progressing to cancer, the removal of polyps can prevent colorectal cancer. Studies show that increasing the polyp detection rate by just 1% can reduce the risk of fatal colorectal cancer by 5%.
Colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for polyp removal. However, this procedure is technically demanding, time-consuming, and requires highly skilled physicians. Research indicates that 22% to 28% of polyps and 20% to 24% of precancerous adenomas are missed during colonoscopy. The main reasons include polyps being too small or flat, making them difficult to detect, or incomplete coverage of the colon during the procedure.
Recent advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, especially in medical imaging, offer great potential in assisting diagnosis. AI-assisted systems can analyze images to help physicians detect and diagnose polyps more quickly and accurately during colonoscopies. This not only improves accuracy but also reduces the workload of physicians and increases the efficiency of the examination.
Implementing AI systems in colonoscopy can enhance the Adenoma Detection Rate (ADR) and Adenoma Per Colonoscopy (APC), while assisting in polyp characterization to help physicians determine treatment strategies. Thus, AI-supported colonoscopy procedures can improve both safety and effectiveness. While ADR has traditionally been the focus of most studies, APC provides a more comprehensive view of whether all adenomas are successfully removed. Therefore, this study will focus on APC as the primary indicator.
Study Design Objective:
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the AI-assisted system (EndoAim) in diagnosing colorectal polyps during colonoscopy. The specific goals include:
* Comparing the effectiveness of standard colonoscopy with AI-assisted colonoscopy using EndoAim.
* Assessing the diagnostic performance of EndoAim across different subgroups (screening vs. surveillance, bowel cleanliness, physician experience, and polyp location).
Significance:
Building on existing literature, this study seeks to provide further evidence of the practical application of AI in colonoscopy. Through rigorous clinical trial design and extensive data analysis, robust proof of AI's utility in assisting diagnosis and support for broader clinical application will be offered.
Endpoints:
The primary endpoint is Adenoma Per Colonoscopy (APC). Secondary endpoints include Adenoma Detection Rate (ADR), Polyp Detection Rate (PDR), and Positive Predictive Value (PPV). These metrics will provide a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of the AI-assisted system in colonoscopy."
