Comparison of PillCamCOLON (C2) Capsule and Standard Endoscopy for the Evaluation of Patients With Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease progressing through flare-ups. The therapeutic objective, which was originally based on clinical remission, is currently evolving with the development of biotherapies towards the achievement of endoscopic remission. Current recommendations for therapeutic management advocate the achievement of endoscopic mucosal healing (EMH), with an observed decrease in the necessity for colectomy in the case of EMH. Endoscopic evaluation of the severity of UC is performed during a digestive endoscopy (colonoscopy for a complete colonic exploration, or recto-sigmoidoscopy for a partial exploration of the colon) from endoscopic activity scores adapted for UC. Currently, the score the most commonly used is the MAYO endoscopic score. This is a global score of increasing intensity from 0 to 3, taking into account the following basic lesions: vascular pattern, granularity or/and friability of the mucosa, spontaneous bleeding, erosion and ulceration. However this score has limits: it does not distinguish deep cavitating ulcerations with mucous detachment from simple ulcerations which have a better prognosis. A new endoscopic score specific for UC has been developed and is currently being validated. It is termed Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS). This evaluation takes into account the three most reproducible factors - the vascular pattern, the presence of bleeding, and erosions or ulcerations including cavitating ulceration - in the total score. To ensure optimal patient care and an adaptation of the therapeutic medical care to the endoscopic severity of the disease, endoscopic exploration should be performed recurrently. However, this exploration is an invasive procedure, requires general anaesthesia for colonoscopy, and can lead to potential complications such as perforation. This explains the poor acceptance by patients, resulting in a sub-optimal therapeutic support.