Evidence to suggest adoption of water exchange deserves broader consideration: Its pain alleviating impact occurs in 90% of investigators

Table 1 Water-aided colonoscopy and insufflation colonoscopy: Baseline characteristics and indications of 1091 patients

	WE (n = 371)	WI (n = 338)	AICD (n = 382)	P value1
Age, yr, mean (± SD)	59 (12.2)	59 (11.6)	59 (12.0)	0.627
Females, n (%)	149 (40.2)	140 (41.4)	151 (39.5)	0.873
Males, n (%)	222 (59.8)	198 (58.6)	231 (60.5)
BMI, mean (± SD)	26.7 (4.8)	26.5 (4.7)	26.4 (4.7)	0.607
Previous abdominal surgery, n (%)	141 (38.0)	116 (34.3)	116 (30.4)	0.087
Indications for colonoscopy, n (%)
Abdominal pain	68 (18.3)	52 (15.4)	59 (15.4)	0.127
Bleeding	90 (24.3)	89 (26.3)	108 (28.3)	0.076
Change in bowel habits	73 (19.7)	64 (18.9)	60 (15.7)	0.977
Anemia	8 (2.2)	12 (3.6)	7 (1.8)	0.048
Diverticulosis	4 (1.1)	5 (1.5)	7 (1.8)	0.787
Other	46 (12.4)	37 (10.9)	46 (12.0)	0.403
Screening	82 (22.1)	79 (23.4)	95 (24.9)	0.361

¹ANOVA. n: Number of patients; WE: Water exchange for insertion, insufflation with air or CO₂ for withdrawal; WI: Water immersion for insertion, insufflation with air or CO₂ for withdrawal; AICD: Insufflation with air or CO₂ for insertion and withdrawal; SD: Standard deviation.