METHODS

Design:

blinded comparison of CTC with optical colonoscopy.

Setting:

a university hospital in Rome, Italy.

Patients:

203 patients ⩾35 years of age (mean age 61 y, 69% men) who were scheduled to have optical colonoscopy because of average risk colorectal cancer screening, personal or family history of colorectal polyps, family history of colorectal cancer, abnormal screening test result, iron deficiency anaemia, haematochezia, change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, or weight loss. Exclusion criteria were history of familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary non-polyposis cancer syndromes; previous colorectal surgery; suspected inflammatory bowel disease, bowel obstruction, or acute diverticulitis; contraindications …