The diagnostic accuracy of artificial intelligence and computer-aided diagnosis for the detection and characterisation of colorectal polyps: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (Preprint)
BACKGROUND Colonoscopy reduces the incidence of colorectal cancer by allowing detection and resection of neoplastic polyps. Evidence shows that many small polyps are missed on a single colonoscopy. There has been a successful adoption of AI technologies to tackle the issues around missed polyps and as a tool to increase adenoma detection rate (ADR). OBJECTIVE The aim of this review was to examine the diagnostic accuracy of AI-based technologies in assessing colorectal polyps. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was undertaken using the databases of EMBASE, Medline and the Cochrane Library. PRISMA guidelines were followed. Studies reporting use of computer-aided diagnosis for polyp detection or characterisation during colonoscopy were included. Independent proportion and their differences were calculated and pooled through DerSimonian and Laird random-effects modelling. RESULTS A total of 48 studies were included. The meta-analysis showed a significant increase in pooled PDR in patients with the use of AI for polyp detection during colonoscopy compared with patients who had standard colonoscopy (OR 1.75; 95% CI 1.56-1.96; p= 0.0005). When comparing patients undergoing colonoscopy with the use of AI to those without, there was also a significant increase in ADR (OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.32-1.77; p= 0005). CONCLUSIONS With the aid of machine learning, there is potential to improve ADR and consequently reduce the incidence of CRC. The current generation of AI-based systems demonstrate impressive accuracy for the detection and characterisation of colorectal polyps. However, this is an evolving field and before its adoption into a clinical setting, AI systems must prove worthy to patients and clinicians. CLINICALTRIAL Prospero registration - CRD42020169786