Socioeconomic differences in expected discomfort from colonoscopy and colon capsule endoscopy

Socioeconomic differences in discrepancies between expected and experienced discomfort from colonoscopy and colon capsule endoscopy

“…Further, the experienced discomfort was much more aligned with the expected discomfort for colon capsule endoscopy compared to colonoscopy. The expected procedural discomfort from colonoscopy [ 28 ] seem to be a lot higher than the experienced discomfort reported here. Systematic screening using colon capsules has yet to be introduced in routine settings, but follow-up colonoscopy after positive faecal blood test or even first line colonoscopy is very common.…”

“…This does not align very well with the findings of our study as we see greater discrepancies in higher educational levels. In a previous publication, we have described how the expected discomfort increased with increasing socioeconomic status [ 28 ], whereas we now are able to show how these differences were not transferred into the experience. Further, the experienced discomfort was much more aligned with the expected discomfort for colon capsule endoscopy compared to colonoscopy.…”

“…It seems plausible that the expected discomfort would affect screening participation up front, whereas experienced discomfort may affect long-term participation as the next rounds of screening commence. However, as the expected [ 28 ] and the experienced discomfort from screening colonoscopy was not higher in lower socioeconomic subgroups, and the discrepancy between expected and experienced discomfort increased with educational levels, it does not seem plausible that investigation discomfort is the major barrier to screening participation causing the inequalities in uptake. However, the generalizability of our results may be limited by the risk of selection bias.…”

“…The extremes of the scales were labelled ‘No discomfort’ and ‘A very high degree of discomfort’, and the scales had no subdivisions. The participants also reported their experienced discomfort from the phases of ‘bowel preparation’ and ‘transportation’ in the questionnaire filled in prior to colon capsule endoscopy [ 28 ].…”

“…Participants reported their expected level of discomfort from both procedures. Results showed that the expected discomfort from these optical diagnostic modalities increased with increasing socioeconomic status as measured by educational level and income [ 28 ]. However, it is unknown whether such socioeconomic differences translates into experienced discomfort, and whether any potential discrepancies between expected and experienced discomfort differ between socioeconomic subgroups.…”