The repeat FIT (RFIT) study: Does repeating faecal immunochemical tests provide reassurance and improve colorectal cancer detection?

Aim: Faecal immunochemical tests (FIT) are highly sensitive for colorectal cancer (CRC) detection. Little evidence exists regarding repeat FIT. The repeat FIT (RFIT) study aimed to determine whether second and third FIT provide reassurance and improve CRC or significant bowel disease (SBD) identification.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study. Patients recruited from urgent referrals returned three FIT and underwent colonoscopy. Chi-square tests compared categorical data. Diagnostic accuracy variables (sensitivity/specificity/positive predictive value [PPV]/negative predictive value [NPV]) were calculated for one, two and three FIT (95% CI). Three negative FIT (<10 μg Hb/g of faeces [μg/g]) groups (one, two, three) were compared with positive groups (one or more FIT ≥10 μg/g). CRC and SBD detection rates were compared by strategy.

Results: A total of 460 patients (mean age: 66.8 years, 233 males and 227 females, 23 CRC, 80 SBD) were included in the study. For one, two and three negative FIT, CRC sensitivity remained static (95.7%); specificity (44.6%, 40.7% and 38.4%) and NPV decreased (99.5%, 99.4% and 99.4%). For SBD, sensitivity increased (78.8%, 83.8% and 86.3%), specificity decreased (47.4%, 43.7% and 41.6%) and NPV increased (91.4%, 92.7% and 93.5%). In one, two and three positive FIT groups, CRC detection was 8.3%,16.1% and 20.9%. CRC mean FIT was 150 μg/g, <6 μg/g for benign pathology.

Conclusions: One or more negative FIT increases the sensitivity for CRC/SBD. Repeating FIT provides greater differentiation of patients with and without CRC/SBD compared to single FIT but is associated with decreased specificity and PPV. Multiple negative FIT may offer reassurance; however, application of repeating FIT may be restricted given the associated increase in investigations.