Comparison between the widely used magnetically controlled capsule gastroscopy and conventional gastroscopy: a meta-analysis

AI-KODA score application for cleanliness assessment in video capsule endoscopy frames

BACKGROUND

Currently, there is no automated method for assessing cleanliness in video capsule endoscopy (VCE). Our objectives were to automate the process of evaluating and collecting medical scores of VCE frames according to the existing KOrea-CanaDA (KODA) scoring system by developing an easy-to-use mobile application called artificial intelligence-KODA (AI-KODA) score, as well as to determine the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of the KODA score among three readers for prospective AI applications, and check the efficacy of the application.

METHOD

From the 28 patient capsule videos considered, 1539 sequential frames were selected at five-minute intervals, and 634 random frames were selected at random intervals during small bowel transit. The frames were processed and shifted to AI-KODA. Three readers (gastroenterology fellows), who had been trained in reading VCE, rated 2173 frames in duplicate four weeks apart after completing the training module on AI-KODA. The scores were saved automatically in real time. Reliability was assessed for each video using estimate of intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs). Then, the AI dataset was developed using the frames and their respective scores, and it was subjected to automatic classification of the scores via the random forest and the k-nearest neighbors classifiers.

RESULTS

For sequential frames, ICCs for inter-rater variability were 'excellent' to 'good' among the three readers, while ICCs for intra-rater variability were 'good' to 'moderate'. For random frames, ICCs for inter-rater and intra-rater variability were 'excellent' among the three readers. The overall accuracy achieved was up to 61% for the random forest classifier and 62.38% for the k-nearest neighbors classifier.

CONCLUSIONS

AI-KODA automates the process of scoring VCE frames based on the existing KODA score. It saves time in cleanliness assessment and is user-friendly for research and clinical use. Comprehensive benchmarking of the AI dataset is in process.

Chinese national clinical practice guidelines on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of early gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in the digestive system in China. Few comprehensive practice guidelines for early gastric cancer in China are currently available. Therefore, we created the Chinese national clinical practice guideline for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of early gastric cancer.

METHODS

This clinical practice guideline (CPG) was developed in accordance with the World Health Organization's recommended process and with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) in assessing evidence quality. We used the Evidence to Decision framework to formulate clinical recommendations to minimize bias and increase transparency in the CPG development process. We used the Reporting Items for practice Guidelines in HealThcare (RIGHT) statement and the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) as reporting and conduct guidelines to ensure completeness and transparency of the CPG.

RESULTS

This CPG contains 40 recommendations regarding the prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of early gastric cancer based on available clinical studies and guidelines. We provide recommendations for the timing of Helicobacter pylori eradication, screening populations for early gastric cancer, indications for endoscopic resection and surgical gastrectomy, follow-up interval after treatment, and other recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

This CPG can lead to optimum care for patients and populations by providing up-to-date medical information. We intend this CPG for widespread adoption to increase the standard of prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of early gastric cancer; thereby, contributing to improving national health care and patient quality of life.

Clinical Benefits and Challenges in Application of Novel Portable Gastric Capsule Endoscopy for Home Healthcare Patients

Portable magnetic-assisted capsule endoscopy (MACE) provides satisfactory patient experience and safety with comparable performance in diagnosis of organic lesions when compared to conventional upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. In this study, a total of 58 homecare patients were included for MACE either in the hospital (n = 42) or at home (n = 16), with mean age of 71.1 ± 12.4 years. A total of 55 patients (94.83%) had completed the MACE with diagnosis of reflux esophagitis (43.6%), gastritis (54.5%), erosions (21.8%), fundic polyps (14.5%), peptic ulcers (25.9%), etc. Most patients (n = 47, 85.5%) were satisfied with the experience, and all patients who received MACE at home (n = 15, 100%) appreciated the convenience of endoscopy at home. Less than half of the patients (n = 24, 43.6%) could afford MACE if the expense was not covered by health insurance (USD 714). Time consumption from both traffic and capsule manipulation was also challenging for the physicians, as it took an average of 24.7 min to complete MACE, but it added up to a total of 92.7 min at home, which is about 15 times that of conventional endoscopy in hospital. More efforts are needed to ease the financial burden of patients, and optimization of workflow in community practice may help lift the obstacles revealed in this study.