A new blue dye tablet can improve polyp detection during a colonoscopy by approximately 9 percent, according to research to be presented at Digestive Disease Week 2018, June 2 to June 5 in Washington, D.C.
Researchers examined 1,205 patients who were about to undergo a colonoscopy in 20 centers worldwide. The patient base was divided into three groups. The first group received a full dose of blue dye in a dissolvable tablet taken during the colonoscopy preparation process, the second group had a half dose and the third group served as controls.
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1. Adenomas and carcinomas were found in 56.3 percent of the group receiving the full dose, while adenomas and carcinomas were found in only 47.8 percent of the placebo group.
2. The full-dose group also had more flats and small lesions detected than the other groups.
3. With the exception of expected side effects, fewer than 6 percent of patients experienced adverse events.
Before the digestible tablets invention, physicians used to have to mix the dye on site and spray it during a colonoscopy, which was time consuming. This process eliminates the inconvenience, while still improving colonoscopy results.
Jacksonville, Fla.-based Mayo Clinic phase 3 trial primary investigator Michael Wallace, MD, said, "While utilizing blue dye to increase [adenoma detection rate] is not a new concept, the fact that this technology now comes in tablet form is a major advance. Our research shows the oral delayed-release methylene blue provides gastroenterologists with a new means to improve their ADR with no additional inconvenience or safety risks to the patient and no supplemental time required to the endoscopist."