New guideline: AI is not routinely recommended for colonoscopies

An international group of experts has spoken out against the routine use of AI-based detection systems in colonoscopies – but why?

AI detects more polyps – but does that matter?

Artificial intelligence promises to detect more polyps during colonoscopies – but the new international guideline advises against its routine use. The experts evaluated 44 randomised studies with over 30,000 participants as well as computer simulations and concluded that the benefits for critical endpoints such as colon cancer rates and mortality are highly uncertain. Although AI systems detect more polyps, these are usually small and harmless.

Individual decision based on patient preference

At the same time, the use of AI is likely to lead to more follow-up colonoscopies (635 additional colonoscopies per 10,000 patients over 10 years) and potentially to more overdiagnoses and patient anxiety. The international panel of experts, including patient representatives, concluded that most well-informed patients would probably reject the use of this technology. The recommendation is classified as ‘weak,’ meaning that individual decisions based on patient preferences are acceptable.

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