Surgical and endoscopic management of high grade dysplasia and early oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of endoscopic techniques has led to debate about optimal management of early oesophageal adenocarcinoma. The aim was to evaluate patient selection and outcomes for endoscopic or surgical treatment at a tertiary referral centre. METHODS: A prospectively collected database of consecutive patients staged with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or T1 oesophageal adenocarcinoma treated with curative intent between 2005 and 2013 was undertaken. All patients were discussed at the multidisciplinary team meeting. Surgical treatment was by thoracoscopic assisted or standard/laparoscopic assisted Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy. Endoscopic treatment was a structured programme of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and/or radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Outcomes included treatment variables, recurrence and complications. RESULTS: 83 patients treated; 50 with endoscopic therapy (EMR only-4, EMR then RFA-22, RFA only-24) and 38 by surgery (33 straight to surgery and 5 following EMR). Median age (67) and mean follow-up (21 months) were similar. HGD was more common in the endoscopic group (32/50, 64%, vs.3/33, 9%, p = 0.0001). Significant complications were more common following surgery (13/38, 34%, vs. 1/50, 2%, p = 0.0001). There were two in-hospital deaths following oesophagectomy (1 open, 1 thoracoscopic). Endoscopic treatment beyond 12 months for persisting HGD/intramucosal disease was required in 2 patients. Recurrence of HGD/invasive cancer was diagnosed in 2/36 (5.6%, T1a recurrence) of endoscopic and 1/38 (2.6%, T2N0 - subsequent hepatic metastases) surgical patients. CONCLUSION: A management algorithm including both endoscopic treatment and oesophagectomy provides optimal outcome for these patients. Due to additional morbidity of surgery, endoscopic treatment is appropriate first-line treatment.

Tailoring follow-up endoscopy in patients with severe oesophagitis.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the clinical utility of follow-up oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD2) in patients with severe oesophagitis (Los Angeles grades C or D) through evaluating the yield of Barrett's oesophagus (BO), cancer, dysplasia and strictures. Second, we aimed to determine if the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) may be used to identify patients to undergo OGD2s. Design/method: Patients in NHS Lothian with an index OGD (OGD1) diagnosis of severe oesophagitis between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2015 were identified. Univariate analysis identified factors associated with grade. Patients were stratified by frailty and a diagnosis of stricture, cancer, dysplasia and BO. Results: In total 964 patients were diagnosed with severe oesophagitis, 61.7% grade C and 38.3% grade D. The diagnostic yield of new pathology at OGD2 was 13.2% (n=51), new strictures (2.3%), dysplasia (0.5%), cancer (0.3%) and BO (10.1%). A total of 140 patients had clinical frailty (CFS score ≥5), 88.6% of which were deceased at review (median of 76 months). In total 16.4% of frail patients underwent OGD2s and five new pathologies were diagnosed, none of which were significantly associated with grade. Among non-frail patients at OGD2, BO was the only pathology more common (p=0.010) in patients with grade D. Rates of cancer, dysplasia and strictures did not vary significantly between grades. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that OGD2s in patients with severe oesophagitis may be tailored according to clinical frailty and only be offered to non-frail patients. In non-frail patients OGD2s have similar pick-up rates of sinister pathology in both grades of severe oesophagitis.

Individualised consent for endoscopy: update on the 2016 BSG guidelines.

In 2016, the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) published comprehensive guidelines for obtaining consent for endoscopic procedures. In November 2020, the General Medical Council (GMC) introduced updated guidelines on shared decision making and consent. These guidelines followed the Montgomery ruling in 2015, which changed the legal doctrine determining what information should be given to a patient before a medical intervention. The GMC guidance and Montgomery ruling expand on the role of shared decision making between the clinician and patient, explicitly highlighting the importance of understanding the values of the patient. In November 2021, the BSG President's Bulletin highlighted the 2020 GMC guidance and the need to incorporate patient -related factors into decision making. Here, we make formal recommendations in support of this communication, and update the 2016 BSG endoscopy consent guidelines. The BSG guideline refers to the Montgomery legislation, but this document expands on the findings and gives proposals for how to incorporate it into the consent process. The document is to accompany, not replace the recent GMC and BSG guidelines. The recommendations are made in the understanding that there is not a single solution to the consent process, but that medical practitioners and services must work together to ensure that the principles and recommendations laid out below are deliverable at a local level. The 2020 GMC and 2016 BSG guidance had patient representatives involved throughout the process. Further patient involvement was not sought here as this update is to give practical advice on how to incorporate these guidelines into clinical practice and the consent process. This document should be read by endoscopists and referrers from primary and secondary care.

UK endoscopy workload and workforce patterns: is there potential to increase capacity? A BSG analysis of the National Endoscopy Database.

Background: The lack of comprehensive national data on endoscopy activity and workforce hampers strategic planning. The National Endoscopy Database (NED) provides a unique opportunity to address this in the UK. We evaluated NED to inform service planning, exploring opportunities to expand capacity to meet service demands. Design: Data on all procedures between 1 March 2019 and 29 February 2020 were extracted from NED. Endoscopy activity and endoscopist workforce were analysed. Results: 1 639 640 procedures were analysed (oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) 693 663, colonoscopy 586 464, flexible sigmoidoscopy 335 439 and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography 23 074) from 407 sites by 4990 endoscopists. 89% of procedures were performed in NHS sites. 17% took place each weekday, 10% on Saturdays and 6% on Sundays. Training procedures accounted for 6% of total activity, over 99% of which took place in NHS sites. Median patient age was younger in the independent sector (IS) (51 vs 60 years, p<0.001). 74% of endoscopists were male. Gastroenterologists and surgeons each comprised one-third of the endoscopist workforce; non-medical endoscopists (NMEs) comprised 12% yet undertook 23% of procedures. Approximately half of endoscopists performing OGD (52%) or colonoscopies (48%) did not meet minimum annual procedure numbers. Conclusion: This comprehensive analysis reveals endoscopy workload and workforce patterns for the first time across both the NHS and the IS in all four UK nations. Half of all endoscopists perform fewer than the recommended minimum annual procedure numbers: a national strategy to address this, along with expansion of the NME workforce, would increase endoscopy capacity, which could be used to exploit latent weekend capacity.

Bowel cancer screening workforce survey: developing the endoscopy workforce for 2025 and beyond.

AIM: The demand for bowel cancer screening (BCS) is expected to increase significantly within the next decade. Little is known about the intentions of the workforce required to meet this demand. The Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (JAG), the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) and Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI) developed the first BCS workforce survey. The aim was to assess endoscopist career intentions to aid in future workforce planning to meet the anticipated increase in BCS colonoscopy. METHODS: A survey was developed by JAG, BSG and ACPGBI and disseminated to consultant, clinical and trainee endoscopists between February and April 2020. Descriptive and comparative analyses were undertaken, supported with BCS data. RESULTS: There were 578 respondents. Screening consultants have a median of one programmed activity (PA) per week for screening, accounting for 40% of their current endoscopy workload. 38% of current screening consultants are considering giving up colonoscopy in the next 2-5 years. Retirement (58%) and pension issues (23%) are the principle reasons for this. Consultants would increase their screening PAs by 70% if able to do so. The top three activities that endoscopists would relinquish to further support screening were outpatient clinics, acute medical/surgical on call and ward cover. An extra 155 colonoscopists would be needed to fulfil increased demand and planned retirement at current PAs. CONCLUSION: This survey has identified a serious potential shortfall in screening colonoscopists in the next 5-10 years due to an ageing workforce and job plan pressures of aspirant BCS colonoscopists. We have outlined potential mitigations including reviewing job plans, improving workforce resources and supporting accreditation and training.

Increasing the low-risk threshold for patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective, multicentre feasibility study.

Objective: During the COVID-19 pandemic, we extended the low-risk threshold for patients not requiring inpatient endoscopy for upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) from Glasgow Blatchford Score (GBS) 0-1 to GBS 0-3. We studied the safety and efficacy of this change. Methods: Between 1 April 2020 and 30 June 2020 we prospectively collected data on consecutive unselected patients with UGIB at five large Scottish hospitals. Primary outcomes were length of stay, 30-day mortality and rebleeding. We compared the results with prospective prepandemic descriptive data. Results: 397 patients were included, and 284 index endoscopies were performed. 26.4% of patients had endoscopic intervention at index endoscopy. 30-day all-cause mortality was 13.1% (53/397), and 33.3% (23/69) for pre-existing inpatients. Bleeding-related mortality was 5% (20/397). 30-day rebleeding rate was 6.3% (25/397). 84 patients had GBS 0-3, of whom 19 underwent inpatient endoscopy, 0 had rebleeding and 2 died. Compared with prepandemic data in three centres, there was a fall in mean number of UGIB presentations per week (19 vs 27.8; p=0.004), higher mean GBS (8.3 vs 6.5; p<0.001) with fewer GBS 0-3 presentations (21.5% vs 33.3%; p=0.003) and higher all-cause mortality (12.2% vs 6.8%; p=0.02). Predictors of mortality were cirrhosis, pre-existing inpatient status, age >70 and confirmed COVID-19. 14 patients were COVID-19 positive, 5 died but none from UGIB. Conclusion: During the pandemic when services were under severe pressure, extending the low-risk threshold for UGIB inpatient endoscopy to GBS 0-3 appears safe. The higher mortality of patients with UGIB during the pandemic is likely due to presentation of a fewer low-risk patients.

Risk stratifying gastric ulcers: development and validation of a scoring system.

Objective: Debate is ongoing regarding the need for universal endoscopic follow-up to ensure gastric ulcer healing. We aimed to assess the value of follow-up oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopies (OGDs) for gastric ulcer healing and stratify patients according to risk of malignancy by developing a risk score. Design/method: All patients in National Health Service (NHS) Lothian with an index OGD and a diagnosis of gastric ulcer between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2018 were identified. Data were analysed with logistic regression to identify factors significantly associated with a diagnosis of cancer; a risk score was derived and externally validated. Results: 778 patients were identified and 60.3% (469/778) of patients had a follow-up OGD. 8.6% (66/778) of patients were diagnosed with cancer. No cases of cancer were found on follow-up OGD of a benign appearing ulcer with negative biopsies. Macroscopic suspicion of malignancy was present at index OGD in 100% (3/3) of those diagnosed with cancer on subsequent OGDs. Older age (p=0.014), increased ulcer size (p<0.001) and non-antral location (p=0.030) were significantly associated with malignancy. A risk score (area under the curve (AUC) 0.868, p<0.001, minimum score=0, maximum score=6) was derived from these variables. 78.0% of patients with malignant ulcers scored ≥3, only 15.8% with benign ulcers scored ≥3 (negative predictive value (NPV) 97.4%). External validation yielded an AUC of 0.862 (p<0.001) and NPV of 98.6%; 84.0% of those with malignant ulcers scored ≥3. Conclusion: Ulcers with a combination of macroscopically benign appearances, at least six negative biopsies and a low risk score do not necessarily need endoscopic follow-up.

Quality indicators for Barrett's endotherapy (QBET): UK consensus statements for patients undergoing endoscopic therapy for Barrett's neoplasia.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic therapy for the management of patients with Barrett's oesophagus (BE) neoplasia has significantly developed in the past decade; however, significant variation in clinical practice exists. The aim of this project was to develop expert physician-lead quality indicators (QIs) for Barrett's endoscopic therapy. METHODS: The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method was used to combine the best available scientific evidence with the collective judgement of experts to develop quality indicators for Barrett's endotherapy in four subgroups: pre-endoscopy, intraprocedure (resection and ablation) and postendoscopy. International experts, including gastroenterologists, surgeons, BE pathologist, clinical nurse specialist and patient representative, participated in a three-round process to develop 15 QIs that fulfilled the RAND/UCLA definition of appropriateness. RESULTS: 17 experts participated in round 1 and 20 in round 2. Of the 24 proposed QIs in round 1, 20 were ranked as appropriate (put through to round 2) and 4 as uncertain (discarded). At the end of round 2, a final list of 15 QIs were scored as appropriate. CONCLUSIONS: This UK national consensus project has successfully developed QIs for patients undergoing Barrett's endotherapy. These QIs can be used by service providers to ensure that all patients with BE neoplasia receive uniform and high-quality care.

Pancreatic cystic lesions: risk stratification and management based on recent guidelines.

Pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) can present complex diagnostic and management challenges with uncertainty as to the most appropriate investigations, interventions and surveillance. Guidelines have been developed to aid decision making, including the European Study Group, American College of Gastroenterology and International Study Group guidelines. This paper presents issues relating to risk stratification and the appropriate management of patients with PCLs, reviewing these recently published guidelines. While there are similarities across these expert guidelines, there are notable differences in terms of features associated with increased risk of malignant transformation, the most appropriate imaging modality and timing of interval imaging. Where variations exist, this reflects differing interpretations of a limited evidence base, and decision making will likely evolve further as experience with these guidelines develops.

British society of gastroenterology Endoscopy Quality Improvement Programme (EQIP): overview and progress.

High quality gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy improves patient care. Raising standards in endoscopy improves diagnostic accuracy, management of pathology and ultimately improves outcomes. Historical identification of significant variation in colonoscopy quality led to the development of the Joint Advisory Group (JAG) on GI Endoscopy, the Global Rating Scale (GRS), JAG Endoscopy Training System (JETS) training and certification. These measures led to major improvements in UK endoscopy but significant variation in practice still exists. To improve quality further the British Society of Gastroenterology Endoscopy Quality Improvement (EQIP) has been established with the aim of raising quality and reducing variation in the quality of UK endoscopy. A multifaceted approach to quality improvement (QI) will be undertaken and is described in this manuscript. Upper GI EQIP will support adoption of standards alongside regional upskilling courses. Lower GI EQIP will focus on supporting endoscopists to achieve current standards alongside approaches to reducing postcolonoscopy colorectal cancer rates. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography EQIP will adopt a regional approach of using local data to support network-based QI. Newer areas of endoscopy practice such as small bowel endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound will focus on identifying key performance indicators as well as standardising training and accreditation pathways. EQIP will also support QI in management of GI bleeding as well as standardising the approach to new techniques and technologies. Where evidence is lacking, approaches to gather new evidence and support the translation into clinical practice will be supported.

An examination of subgroup classification in irritable bowel syndrome patients over time: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a complex functional gastrointestinal disorder which to date remains poorly understood. Therapies for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients are usually aimed at relieving the predominant symptom; however, little evidence exists as to whether or not the predominant symptom changes with time. Nurses are becoming increasingly involved in the assessment and management of IBS patients. OBJECTIVES: To categorise IBS patients into one of three sub-types, namely diarrhoea-predominant, constipation-predominant and a third group who alternate between the two, and to investigate changes in patient sub-type classification over time. DESIGN: Observational cohort study. SETTING: The general population of the United Kingdom (UK). METHODS: A cohort of 494 IBS patients, with a confirmed Rome II classification diagnosis, was recruited in the UK. Patients' IBS symptoms were recorded throughout a 26-week period. Proportions of individuals in each IBS subgroup were calculated and probabilities of moving from one subgroup to another between consecutive weeks were estimated. RESULTS: The percentage of patients given an overall subgroup classification of diarrhoea-predominant IBD (D-IBS) is 40.9%; 58.1% and 1% were classified as belonging to the alternator (A-IBS) and constipation-predominant (C-IBS) subgroups, respectively. PATIENTS: classified as an alternator or as diarrhoea-predominant have a high probability (0.67 and 0.71, respectively) of remaining in the same subgroup; however this probability is lower for constipation-predominant patients (0.35). CONCLUSION: Although many patients remain in the same IBS subgroup classification over time, there are individuals whose subgroup classification varies. As such, patients' IBS subgroup classification should be reviewed regularly and treatment adjusted accordingly in order to optimise patient care.

Symptom interpretation and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are often believed to attribute unexplained symptoms to physical disorders. We tested this hypothesis by assessing symptom interpretation, symptom severity, and quality of life in patients attending hospital gastroenterology clinics. AIM: The main aims of this study were: to assess the symptom attributional styles of hospital gastroenterological outpatients with IBS and non-IBS disorders in comparison with unselected patients attending their GP; to establish the relationships between attributional style, quality of life, and IBS severity score in hospital gastroenterology outpatients; and to test the hypothesis that the IBS severity score correlates with a somatising style of symptom attribution. DESIGN OF STUDY: Systematic quantitative analysis. SETTING: General practice and gastroenterology outpatient clincs. METHOD: Patients attending hospital gastroenterology clinics were recruited prospectively and completed validated questionnaires. These were the Medical Outcome Survey (MOS SF-36), the IBS Severity Score, and the Symptom Interpretation Questionnaire (SIQ). The latter measures the tendency to interpret somatic symptoms in three ways: as a physical disorder (somatising attributional style), as an emotional response to stress (psychologising attributional style), or as a normal experience (normalising attributional style). The diagnosis of IBS was based on the Rome II criteria; the control groups comprised gastroenterology outpatients with non-IBS diagnoses and unselected patients attending general practice. RESULTS: Quality of life in IBS patients attending hospital outpatients (n = 32, male:female ratio 9:23) was not significantly different from that of non-IBS patients (n = 70, male:female ratio 32:38). In all patient groups, the normalising style of symptom interpretation predominated; psychologising styles correlated with impaired quality of life in the mental health domains. In IBS patients, the tendency to seek a psychological explanation for physical symptoms correlated significantly with the severity of the abdominal pain. CONCLUSIONS: Symptom interpretation does not differ between IBS and non-IBS patients referred to hospital gastroenterology clinics. The tendency to attribute somatic symptoms to a physical disorder does not explain why only a minority of IBS subjects seek medical attention. The idea that most IBS patients are committed to a somatic explanation of symptoms appears to be a myth.

Advanced esophageal cancer.

Although the prognosis for patients with early cancer is good, throughout the world the majority of patients present with advanced disease, and in them, survival is poor. Accurate staging is essential to inform prognosis; to select candidates who may be cured by surgery alone; to select patients requiring neoadjuvant therapy, especially when new protocols are being studied; and to detect patients with advanced disease who would be best served by palliative therapy.

Endoscopic and endobronchial ultrasound real-time fine-needle aspiration for staging of the mediastinum in lung cancer.

Mediastinal lymph node metastases in patients with non-small cell lung cancer are a critical determinant of operability. Mediastinoscopy is invasive, requires general anesthesia, and carries appreciable morbidity. The development of minimally invasive techniques for the pathologic staging of lung cancer is important. We report a one-stop minimally invasive method for the pathologic diagnosis and staging of the majority of the mediastinum under conscious sedation using a novel prototype endobronchial ultrasound probe with a real-time fine-needle aspiration (FNA) facility in combination with conventional endoscopic ultrasound FNA.