Positive multitarget stool DNA tests led to more patients undergoing diagnostic colonoscopies and more colorectal neoplasia diagnoses, according to a poster presented at ACG 2018, Oct. 5-10 in Philadelphia.
Researchers examined 1,035 positive multitarget stool DNA tests. They examined 926 average risk patients and grouped subjects based on whether they had a prior colonoscopy (516) or did not (410). Researchers examined compliance rate to diagnostic colonoscopy in patients following a positive stool DNA test; diagnostic colonoscopy findings; and the predictive value of positive stool DNA testing.
Here's what you should know:
1. Eighty-nine percent or 821 individuals, underwent the diagnostic colonoscopy after receiving a positive DNA stool test.
2. Colorectal neoplasia was present in 562 patients (69 percent), advanced colorectal neoplasia was in 240 patients (30 percent) and colorectal cancer was present in seven patients (less than 1 percent).
3. The group with no prior colonoscopy had significantly more polyps per patient, advanced colorectal neoplasia and sessile serrated polyps than the group of patients with a prior colonoscopy.
4. Patients with no prior colonoscopy also had a higher positive predictive value after stool testing (74 percent) than those who had a colonoscopy (66 percent).
Note: Three parties involved in this study are investors in Exact Sciences.