Quality Indicators for Capsule Endoscopy and Deep Enteroscopy.

INTRODUCTION: Capsule endoscopy (CE) and deep enteroscopy (DE) can be useful for diagnosing and treating suspected small-bowel disease. Guidelines and detailed recommendations exist for the use of CE/DE, but comprehensive quality indicators are lacking. The goal of this task force was to develop quality indicators for appropriate use of CE/DE by using a modified RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method. METHODS: An expert panel of 7 gastroenterologists with diverse practice experience was assembled to identify quality indicators. A literature review was conducted to develop a list of proposed quality indicators applicable to preprocedure, intraprocedure, and postprocedure periods. The panelists reviewed the literature; identified and modified proposed quality indicators; rated them on the basis of scientific evidence, validity, and necessity; and determined proposed performance targets. Agreement and consensus with the proposed indicators were verified using the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method. RESULTS: The voting procedure to prioritize metrics emphasized selecting measures to improve quality and overall patient care. Panelists rated indicators on the perceived appropriateness and necessity for clinical practice. After voting and discussion, 2 quality indicators ranked as inappropriate or uncertain were excluded. Each quality indicator was categorized by measure type, performance target, and summary of evidence. The task force identified 13 quality indicators for CE and DE. DISCUSSION: Comprehensive quality indicators have not existed for CE or DE. The task force identified quality indicators that can be incorporated into clinical practice. The panel also addressed existing knowledge gaps and posed research questions to better inform future research and quality guidelines for these procedures.

Quality indicators for capsule endoscopy and deep enteroscopy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Capsule endoscopy (CE) and deep enteroscopy (DE) can be useful for diagnosing and treating suspected small-bowel disease. Guidelines and detailed recommendations exist for the use of CE/DE, but comprehensive quality indicators are lacking. The goal of this task force was to develop quality indicators for appropriate use of CE/DE by using a modified RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method. METHODS: An expert panel of 7 gastroenterologists with diverse practice experience was assembled to identify quality indicators. A literature review was conducted to develop a list of proposed quality indicators applicable to preprocedure, intraprocedure, and postprocedure periods. The panelists reviewed the literature; identified and modified proposed quality indicators; rated them on the basis of scientific evidence, validity, and necessity; and determined proposed performance targets. Agreement and consensus with the proposed indicators were verified using the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method. RESULTS: The voting procedure to prioritize metrics emphasized selecting measures to improve quality and overall patient care. Panelists rated indicators on the perceived appropriateness and necessity for clinical practice. After voting and discussion, 2 quality indicators ranked as inappropriate or uncertain were excluded. Each quality indicator was categorized by measure type, performance target, and summary of evidence. The task force identified 13 quality indicators for CE and DE. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive quality indicators have not existed for CE or DE. The task force identified quality indicators that can be incorporated into clinical practice. The panel also addressed existing knowledge gaps and posed research questions to better inform future research and quality guidelines for these procedures.

Variation Over Time and Factors Associated With Detection Rates of Sessile Serrated Lesion Across the United States: Results Form a National Sample Using the GIQuIC Registry.

INTRODUCTION: Sessile serrated lesions (SSLs) are important precursor lesions for the CpG island-methylated pathway to colorectal cancer. The reported detection rates of SSL are highly variable, and national or population-based estimates are not available. Patient-, provider-, and procedure-level factors associated with the detection rates of SSL have not been well described. The aim of our study was to study the detection rates of SSL, variability of rates over time, and factors associated with detection rates of SSL in a national sample of patients undergoing colonoscopy using the GIQuIC registry. METHODS: We used colonoscopies submitted to the GIQuIC registry from 2014 to 2017 on adults, aged 18-89 years. Only the first colonoscopy record per patient was included. Indications for colonoscopy were categorized as screening, diagnostic, and surveillance. We used the hierarchical logistic models to study the factors associated with the detection rates of SSL. The Cochrane-Armitage test was used to study the significance of trend over time. RESULTS: There were a total of 5,173,211 colonoscopies performed by 3,934 endoscopists during the study period. Among the 2,101,082 screening colonoscopies over the study period in adults older than or equal to 50 years that were complete to the cecum, the average detection rate per endoscopist for SSL was 6.43% (SD 5.18) and 6.25% standardized for the 2010 US population. There was a significant increase in the detection rates of SSLs from screening colonoscopies over the study period from 4.99% in 2014 to 7.09% in 2017 (P trend <0.001). Clinically significant factors associated with higher detection rates of SSL were longer withdrawal times (>11 minutes vs ≤6 minutes) (odds ratio [OR] 9.61; 9.03-10.24), adequate preparation (OR 1.25; 1.22-1.28), female sex (OR 1.17; 1.16-1.18), and use of a specialized gastrointestinal pathology group (OR 1.12; 95% confidence interval 1.04, 1.19). DISCUSSION: Population-based estimates of the detection rates of SSL are 6% and have increased over time.

Benchmarking Adenoma Detection Rates for Colonoscopy: Results From a US-Based Registry.

INTRODUCTION: Adenoma detection rate (ADR) is highly variable across practices, and national or population-based estimates are not available. Our aim was to study the ADR, variability of rates over time, and factors associated with detection rates of ADR in a national sample of patients undergoing colonoscopy. METHODS: We used colonoscopies submitted to the GI Quality Improvement Consortium, Ltd. registry from 2014 to 2018 on adults aged 50-89 years. We used hierarchical logistic models to study factors associated with ADR. RESULTS: A total of 2,646,833 colonoscopies were performed by 1,169 endoscopists during the study period. The average ADR for screening colonoscopies per endoscopist was 36.80% (SD 10.21), 44.08 (SD 10.98) in men and 31.20 (SD 9.65) in women. Adjusted to the US population, the ADR was 39.08%. There was a significant increase in ADR from screening colonoscopies over the study period from 33.93% in 2014 to 38.12% in 2018. DISCUSSION: The average ADR from a large national US sample standardized to the US population is 39.05% and has increased over time.

Increased detection of Barrett's esophagus-associated neoplasia using wide-area trans-epithelial sampling: a multicenter, prospective, randomized trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Wide-area transepithelial sampling (WATS) with computer-assisted 3-dimensional analysis is a sampling technique that combines abrasive brushing of the Barrett's esophagus (BE) mucosa followed by neural network analysis to highlight abnormal-appearing cells. METHODS: We performed a randomized trial of referred BE patients undergoing surveillance at 16 medical centers. Subjects received either biopsy sampling followed by WATS or WATS followed by biopsy sampling. The primary outcome was rate of detection of high-grade dysplasia/esophageal adenocarcinoma (HGD/EAC) using WATS in conjunction with biopsy sampling compared with biopsy sampling alone using standard histopathologic criteria. Secondary aims included evaluating neoplasia detection rates based on the procedure order (WATS vs biopsy sampling first), of each procedure separately, and the additional time required for WATS. RESULTS: One hundred sixty patients (mean age, 63.4 years; 76% men; 95% white) completed the trial. The median circumferential and maximal BE extents were 1.0 cm (interquartile range: .0-5.0) and 4.0 cm (interquartile range, 2.0-8.0), respectively. The diagnostic yield for biopsy sampling alone was as follows: HGD/EAC, 7 (4.4%); low-grade dysplasia (LGD), 28 (17.5%); nondysplastic BE (NDBE), 106 (66.25%); and no BE, 19 (11.9%). The addition of WATS to biopsy sampling yielded an additional 23 cases of HGD/EAC (absolute increase, 14.4%; 95% confidence interval, 7.5%-21.2%). Among these 23 patients, 11 were classified by biopsy sampling as NDBE and 12 as LGD/indefinite for dysplasia (IND); 14 received biopsy sampling first and 9 WATS first (not significant) and most (n = 21; 91.7%) had a prior dysplasia history. WATS added an average of 4.5 minutes to the procedure. CONCLUSION: Results of this multicenter, prospective, randomized trial demonstrate that the use of WATS in a referral BE population increases the detection of HGD/EAC. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT03008980.).

Race, ethnicity, and sex affect risk for polyps >9 mm in average-risk individuals.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Colorectal cancer risk differs based on patient demographics. We aimed to measure the prevalence of significant colorectal polyps in average-risk individuals and to determine differences based on age, sex, race, or ethnicity. METHODS: In a prospective study, colonoscopy data were collected, using an endoscopic report generator, from 327,785 average-risk adults who underwent colorectal cancer screening at 84 gastrointestinal practice sites from 2000 to 2011. Demographic characteristics included age, sex, race, and ethnicity. The primary outcome was the presence of suspected malignancy or large polyp(s) >9 mm. The benchmark risk for age to initiate screening was based on white men, 50-54 years old. RESULTS: Risk of large polyps and tumors increased progressively in men and women with age. Women had lower risks than men in every age group, regardless of race. Blacks had higher risk than whites from ages 50 through 65 years and Hispanics had lower risk than whites from ages 50 through 80 years. The prevalence of large polyps was 6.2% in white men 50-54 years old. The risk was similar among the groups of white women 65-69 years old, black women 55-59 years old, black men 50-54 years old, Hispanic women 70-74 years old, and Hispanic men 55-59 years old. The risk of proximal large polyps increased with age, female sex, and black race. CONCLUSIONS: There are differences in the prevalence and location of large polyps and tumors in average-risk individuals based on age, sex, race, and ethnicity. These findings could be used to select ages at which specific groups should begin colorectal cancer screening.

PA32540 (a coordinated-delivery tablet of enteric-coated aspirin 325 mg and immediate-release omeprazole 40 mg) versus enteric-coated aspirin 325 mg alone in subjects at risk for aspirin-associated gastric ulcers: results of two 6-month, phase 3 studies.

BACKGROUND: Discontinuations and/or interruptions in aspirin therapy for secondary cardioprotection due to upper gastrointestinal (UGI) complications or symptoms have been shown to increase the risk for subsequent cardiovascular events. PA32540 is a coordinated-delivery, combination tablet consisting of enteric-coated aspirin (EC-ASA) 325 mg and immediate-release (IR) omeprazole 40 mg. METHODS: Two identically-designed, 6-month, randomized, double-blind trials evaluated PA32540 vs. EC-ASA 325 mg in a secondary cardiovascular disease prevention population taking aspirin 325 mg daily for ≥3 months and at risk for ASA-associated gastric ulcers (GUs). The combined study population was 1049 subjects (524 randomized to PA32540, 525 to EC-ASA 325 mg). The primary endpoint was the occurrence of endoscopically-determined gastric ulceration over 6 months. Safety outcomes included the rates of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and UGI symptoms. RESULTS: Significantly fewer PA32540-treated subjects (3.2%) developed endoscopic GUs vs. EC-ASA 325 mg-treated subjects (8.6%) (P < .001). Overall occurrence of MACE was low (2.1%), with no significant differences between treatments in types or incidence of MACE. PA32540-treated subjects had significantly fewer UGI symptoms (P < .001) and significantly fewer discontinuations due to pre-specified UGI adverse events (1.5% vs. 8.2%, respectively; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: PA32540 reduced the incidence of endoscopic GUs compared to EC-ASA 325 mg, but with a similar cardiovascular event profile. Due to fewer UGI symptoms, continuation on aspirin therapy was greater in the PA32540 treatment arm.

Endoscopic hemostasis is rarely used for hematochezia: a population-based study from the Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative National Endoscopic Database.

BACKGROUND: Data on the use of endoscopic hemostasis performed during colonoscopy for hematochezia are primarily derived from expert opinion and case series from tertiary care settings. OBJECTIVES: To characterize patients with hematochezia who underwent in-patient colonoscopy and compare those who did and did not receive endoscopic hemostasis. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative National Endoscopic Database, 2002 to 2008. PATIENTS: Adults with hematochezia. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Demographics, comorbidities, practice setting, adverse events, and colonoscopy procedural characteristics and findings. RESULTS: We identified 3151 persons who underwent in-patient colonoscopy for hematochezia. Endoscopic hemostasis was performed in 144 patients (4.6%). Of those who received endoscopic hemostasis, the majority were male (60.3%), white (83.3%), and older (mean age 70.9 ± 12.3 years); had a low-risk American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (53.9%); and underwent colonoscopy in a community setting (67.4%). The hemostasis-receiving cohort was significantly more likely to be white (83.3% vs 71.0%, P = .02), have more comorbidities (classes 3 and 4, 46.2% vs 36.0%, P = .04), and have the cecum reached (95.8% vs 87.7%, P = .003). Those receiving hemostasis were significantly more likely to have an endoscopic diagnosis of arteriovenous malformations (32.6% vs 2.6%, P = .0001) or a solitary ulcer (8.3% vs 2.1%, P < .0001). LIMITATIONS: Retrospective database analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Less than 5% of persons presenting with hematochezia and undergoing inpatient colonoscopy received endoscopic hemostasis. These findings differ from published tertiary care setting data. These data provide new insights into in-patient colonoscopy performed primarily in a community practice setting for patients with hematochezia.

Colonoscopy utilization and outcomes 2000 to 2011.

BACKGROUND: Understanding colonoscopy utilization and outcomes can help determine when the procedure is most effective. OBJECTIVE: To study trends in utilization and outcomes of colonoscopy in the United States from 2000 to 2011. DESIGN: Prospective collection of colonoscopy data. SETTING: A total of 84 adult diverse GI practices. PATIENTS: All adult patients receiving colonoscopy for any reason. INTERVENTION: Colonoscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Polyps >9 mm or suspected malignant tumor. RESULTS: We analyzed 1,372,838 reports. The most common reason for colonoscopy in patients aged <50 years is evaluation of symptoms such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (28.7%) and bleeding or anemia (35.3%). In patients aged 50 to 74 years, colorectal cancer screening accounts for 42.9% of examinations. In patients aged >74 years, surveillance for cancer or polyps is the most common indication. The use of colonoscopy for average-risk screening increased nearly 3-fold during the study period. The prevalence of large polyps increases with age and is higher in men for every procedure indication. The prevalence of large polyps in patients with symptoms of IBS was lower than in those undergoing average-risk screening (odds ratio [OR] 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83-0.87). With increasing age, there was a shift from distal to proximal large polyps. The rate of proximal large polyps is higher in the black population compared with the white population (OR 1.19; 95% CI, 1.13-1.25). LIMITATIONS: In the absence of pathology data, use of surrogate as the main outcome. CONCLUSION: Colonoscopy utilization changed from 2000 to 2011, with an increase in primary screening. The proximal location of large polyps in the black population and with advancing age has implications for screening and surveillance.

Is the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification useful in risk stratification for endoscopic procedures?

BACKGROUND: The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification is a measurement of comorbidity and a predictor of perioperative morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictive ability of the ASA class for periendoscopic adverse events. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort analysis. SETTING: A total of 74 sites in the United States comprising academic, community/health maintenance organization, and Veterans Affairs/military practices affiliated with the Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative (CORI) database. PATIENTS: Patients who were 18 years or older who underwent an endoscopic procedure between 2000 and 2008. INTERVENTIONS: EGD, colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and ERCP. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Immediate adverse event requiring an unplanned intervention. RESULTS: A total of 1,590,648 endoscopic procedures were performed on 1,318,495 individual patients. The majority of patients were designated as ASA class I or II (I: 27%, II: 63%). An immediate adverse event occurred in 0.35% of all endoscopic procedures (n = 5596) and was proportionally highest for ERCPs (1.84%). Increasing ASA class was associated with higher prevalence and a stepwise increase in the odds ratio of serious adverse events for EGD (II: 1.54 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.31-1.82]; III: 3.90 [95% CI, 3.27-4.64]; IV/V: 12.02 [95% CI, 9.62-15.01]); and colonoscopy (II: 0.92 [95% CI, 0.85-1.01]; III: 1.66 [95% CI, 1.46-1.87]; IV/V: 4.93 [95% CI, 3.66-66.3]). This trend was not significant for flexible sigmoidoscopy and ERCP. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective; endpoint was a surrogate for periprocedure morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: ASA class is associated with increased risk of adverse events at endoscopy, particularly for EGD and colonoscopy. It is useful in endoscopic risk stratification and an important quality indicator for endoscopy.

The role of colonoscopy in evaluating hematochezia: a population-based study in a large consortium of endoscopy practices.

BACKGROUND: Data on the role of colonoscopy in hematochezia are almost exclusively derived from clinical experience in tertiary care practice. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the patient population who received colonoscopy for hematochezia in a consortium of diverse gastroenterology practices. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative Database, 2002 to 2008. PATIENTS: Adults undergoing colonoscopy for the indication of hematochezia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Demographics, comorbidity, practice setting, adverse events, and colonoscopy procedure characteristics and findings. Age-stratified analyses and analyses of inpatient- versus outpatient-performed colonoscopies were also performed. RESULTS: A total of 966,536 colonoscopies were performed during the study period, 76,186 (7.9%) were performed for evaluation of hematochezia. The majority of patients were white non-Hispanic men younger than 60 years old who underwent colonoscopy at a community practice site (79.1%) and had a low-risk American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score (81.5%), in whom colonoscopy reached the cecum (94.8%), and serious adverse events were rare. Colonoscopy findings were hemorrhoids (64.4%), diverticulosis (38.6%), and polyp or multiple polyps (38.8%). From the overall cohort, 38.3% were 60 years of age and older. The older age cohort had significantly more white non-Hispanic females, high-risk ASA scores, incomplete colonoscopies, and unplanned events. Colonoscopy findings demonstrated significantly higher rates of diverticulosis, polyp or multiple polyps, mucosal abnormality/colitis, tumor, and solitary ulcer (P < .0001). There were 3941 (5.2%) who underwent inpatient-performed colonoscopy. One third of this cohort (32.6%) was defined as having a high ASA score. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective database review. CONCLUSIONS: These results describe patient populations and characterize colonoscopy findings in individuals presenting with hematochezia primarily in a community practice setting.

A multicenter, prospective, randomized comparison of a novel signal transmission capsule endoscope to an existing capsule endoscope.

BACKGROUND: MiroCam, a capsule endoscope, uses a novel transmission technology, electric-field propagation, which uses the human body as a conduction medium for data transmission. OBJECTIVE: To compare the ability of the MiroCam (MC) and PillCam (PC) to identify sources of obscure GI bleeding (OGIB). DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter, comparative study. SETTING: Six academic hospitals. PATIENTS: A total of 105 patients with OGIB. INTERVENTION: Patients ingested both the MC and PC capsules sequentially in a randomized fashion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Concordance of rates in identifying a source of OGIB, operational times, and rates of complete small-bowel examination. RESULTS: Data analysis resulted in 43 (48%) "abnormal" cases identifying a source of OGIB by either capsule. Twenty-four cases (55.8%) were positive by both capsules. There was negative agreement in 46 of 58 cases (79.3%). The κ index was 0.547 (χ(2) = 1.32; P = .36). In 12 cases, MC positively identified a source that was not seen on PC, whereas in 7 cases, PC positively identified a source that was not seen on MC. MC had a 5.6% higher rate of detecting small-bowel lesions (P = .54). MC captured images at 3 frames per second for 11.1 hours, and PC captured images at 2 frames per second for 7.8 hours (P < .0001). Complete small-bowel examination was achieved in 93.3% for MC and 84.3% for PC (P = .10). LIMITATIONS: Readers were not blinded to the particular capsule they were reading. CONCLUSION: A positive diagnostic finding for OGIB was identified by either capsule in 48% of cases. The concordance rate between the 2 capsules was comparable to that of prior studies in identifying sources of small-bowel bleeding. The longer operational time of the MC may result in higher rates of complete small-bowel examination, which may, in turn, translate into a higher rate of detecting small-bowel lesions. ( CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT00878982.).

Radiofrequency ablation in Barrett's esophagus with dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: Barrett's esophagus, a condition of intestinal metaplasia of the esophagus, is associated with an increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. We assessed whether endoscopic radiofrequency ablation could eradicate dysplastic Barrett's esophagus and decrease the rate of neoplastic progression. METHODS: In a multicenter, sham-controlled trial, we randomly assigned 127 patients with dysplastic Barrett's esophagus in a 2:1 ratio to receive either radiofrequency ablation (ablation group) or a sham procedure (control group). Randomization was stratified according to the grade of dysplasia and the length of Barrett's esophagus. Primary outcomes at 12 months included the complete eradication of dysplasia and intestinal metaplasia. RESULTS: In the intention-to-treat analyses, among patients with low-grade dysplasia, complete eradication of dysplasia occurred in 90.5% of those in the ablation group, as compared with 22.7% of those in the control group (P<0.001). Among patients with high-grade dysplasia, complete eradication occurred in 81.0% of those in the ablation group, as compared with 19.0% of those in the control group (P<0.001). Overall, 77.4% of patients in the ablation group had complete eradication of intestinal metaplasia, as compared with 2.3% of those in the control group (P<0.001). Patients in the ablation group had less disease progression (3.6% vs. 16.3%, P=0.03) and fewer cancers (1.2% vs. 9.3%, P=0.045). Patients reported having more chest pain after the ablation procedure than after the sham procedure. In the ablation group, one patient had upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and five patients (6.0%) had esophageal stricture. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with dysplastic Barrett's esophagus, radiofrequency ablation was associated with a high rate of complete eradication of both dysplasia and intestinal metaplasia and a reduced risk of disease progression. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00282672.)

Durability of radiofrequency ablation in Barrett's esophagus with dysplasia.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) can eradicate dysplasia and intestinal metaplasia in patients with dysplastic Barrett's esophagus (BE), and reduce rates of esophageal adenocarcinoma. We assessed long-term rates of eradication, durability of neosquamous epithelium, disease progression, and safety of RFA in patients with dysplastic BE. METHODS: We performed a randomized trial of 127 subjects with dysplastic BE; after cross-over subjects were included, 119 received RFA. Subjects were followed for a mean time of 3.05 years; the study was extended to 5 years for patients with eradication of intestinal metaplasia at 2 years. Outcomes included eradication of dysplasia or intestinal metaplasia after 2 and 3 years, durability of response, disease progression, and adverse events. RESULTS: After 2 years, 101 of 106 patients had complete eradication of all dysplasia (95%) and 99 of 106 had eradication of intestinal metaplasia (93%). After 2 years, among subjects with initial low-grade dysplasia, all dysplasia was eradicated in 51 of 52 (98%) and intestinal metaplasia was eradicated in 51 of 52 (98%); among subjects with initial high-grade dysplasia, all dysplasia was eradicated in 50 of 54 (93%) and intestinal metaplasia was eradicated in 48 of 54 (89%). After 3 years, dysplasia was eradicated in 55 of 56 of subjects (98%) and intestinal metaplasia was eradicated in 51 of 56 (91%). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that dysplasia remained eradicated in >85% of patients and intestinal metaplasia in >75%, without maintenance RFA. Serious adverse events occurred in 4 of 119 subjects (3.4%); the rate of stricture was 7.6%. The rate of esophageal adenocarcinoma was 1 per 181 patient-years (0.55%/patient-years); there was no cancer-related morbidity or mortality. The annual rate of any neoplastic progression was 1 per 73 patient-years (1.37%/patient-years). CONCLUSIONS: In subjects with dysplastic BE, RFA therapy has an acceptable safety profile, is durable, and is associated with a low rate of disease progression, for up to 3 years.

Factors that contribute to blood loss in patients with colonic angiodysplasia from a population-based study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Most studies of angiodysplasia are small and performed at a single center. We investigated the epidemiology and management of colonic angiodysplasia by using a national endoscopy database. METHODS: Colonoscopy reports (n = 229,727; generated from January 2000 to December 2002) from patients with documented angiodysplasia (n = 4159) were retrieved from the Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative. Predictors of occult or overt blood loss and endoscopic treatment were identified by using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Most patients with documented angiodysplasia were older than 60 years (73%) or had right-sided lesions (62%). There was evidence of blood loss in 56% of patients with angiodysplasia. Predictors of blood loss included inpatient status (odds ratio [OR], 8.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.42-14.10), 2-10 angiodysplasias (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.29-1.75), more than 10 lesions (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.69-2.80), black race (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.46-2.62), severe illness (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.62-2.41), Hispanic ethnicity (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.32-2.22), and age older than 80 years (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.06-1.63). Endoscopic therapy was given to 28% of patients with evidence of blood loss and in 68% with active bleeding. Endoscopic treatment increased among patients in a university practice setting (vs community setting, OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.96-3.27) and decreased in Northwest geographic locations (vs Southwest, OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.43-0.84). CONCLUSIONS: Predictors of blood loss in patients with colonic angiodysplasia include inpatient status, comorbidities, age, race/ethnicity, and lesion number. Endoscopic therapy for angiodysplasia varied according to practice setting and region.

Grading the complexity of endoscopic procedures: results of an ASGE working party.

BACKGROUND: Working parties of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) Quality Committee recently published a proposed new lexicon for adverse events and a separate extensive review of risk factors. The complexity of procedures also affects outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To establish a system for grading the complexity of endoscopic procedures. DESIGN: Voting on levels 1 (easiest) to 4 (most difficult) on a list of possible procedures and contexts. SETTING: Community and academic gastroenterologists in the United States, Canada, and Britain. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Median scores of votes cast. RESULTS: Consensus list of levels 1 through 4 contexts and procedures. LIMITATIONS: Eminence rather than evidence based. CONCLUSIONS: A consensus list was developed for comments and testing to complement the proposed lexicons for adverse events and risk factors.