Abstract
Background and Aims: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cause of cancer worldwide. Studies have shown a strong association between screening colonoscopy and a reduced risk of death from colorectal cancers. The incidence of poor bowel preparation has been reported in up to 25% cases. We conducted a systematic review and comprehensive meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of patient education using multimedia platforms on adenoma detection rate and adequacy of bowel preparation. Methods: Multiple databases were searched through May 2020 for studies that reported the efficacy of multimedia education (smartphone app and online audio-visual aids) in improving quality of bowel preparation and its effect on adenoma detection rate (ADR). Meta-analysis was performed to determine whether multimedia based patient education (MM) helps improve ADR and bowel preparation quality as compared to controls (CT). Results: We included 13 randomized controlled trials with a total of 3754 patients. Eight studies reported outcomes on ADR and 12 reported on adequacy of bowel preparation. Overall ADR was higher in patients receiving multimedia based education as compared to CT (risk ratio (RR) 1.25, confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.56, P = 0.04). A higher proportion of patients receiving multimedia based education achieved adequate bowel preparation (RR 1.2, CI 1.1–1.3, P = 0.001). In patients with mean age over 50 years, ADR was better in MM cohort as compared to controls (RR 1.3, CI 1.1–1.6, P = 0.001). Conclusion: Pre-colonoscopy patient education using multimedia based platforms seems to improve ADR and the adequacy of bowel preparation.