Detection rates for adenomas, serrated polyps and clinically relevant serrated polyps can be easily estimated by individually calculated detection rate ratios.

Background and aims: Adenoma detection rate (ADR) is a key quality indicator for colonoscopy; however, it is cumbersome to obtain. We investigated if detection rates (DRs) for adenomas, serrated polyps (SPs) and clinically relevant SP (crSPDR) can be accurately estimated by individualized DR ratios (DRRs) in a multicenter primary colonoscopy screening cohort of average-risk individuals.Methods: DRRs were calculated by dividing DRs for a certain polyp entity by polyp detection rate (PDR) for each endoscopist individually on the basis of his/her first 50 (DRR50) and 100 (DRR100) consecutive colonoscopies. DRs were estimated for each endoscopist by multiplying his/her DRR for a certain polyp entity with his/her PDR of subsequent colonoscopies in groups of 50 (DRR50) and 100 (DRR100) consecutive colonoscopies. Estimated and actual DRs were compared.Results: Estimated DRs showed a strong correlation with actual DRs for adenomas (r = 0.86 and 0.87; each p < .001), SPs (r = 0.85 and 0.91; each p < .001) and crSPs (r = 0.82 and 0.86; each p < .001) using DRRs derived from first 50 and 100 consecutive colonoscopies. Corresponding root mean square error (RMSE) between individual estimated and actual DRs using DRR50 and DRR100 was 5.3(±4.6)% and 4.5(±4.8)% for adenomas, 5.2(±4.1)% and 3.9(±2.8)% for SP, 3.1(±3.1)% and 2.8(±2.5)% for crSP, respectively. RMSE was not significantly different between DRR50 and DRR100 for ADR (p = .445), SPDR (p = .178) and crSP (p = .544).Conclusions: DR for all relevant polyp entities can be accurately estimated by using individual DRRs. This approach may enable endoscopists to easily track their performance measures in daily routine.

Detection of clinically relevant serrated polyps during screening colonoscopy: results from seven cooperating centers within the German colorectal screening program.

BACKGROUND: Serrated polyps have been recognized as precursors of colorectal cancer (CRC) via the serrated pathway. Endoscopic detection and histopathological evaluation of serrated polyps are challenging. The aims of this study were to determine detection rates of the recently proposed entity of clinically relevant serrated polyps (crSPs) and to identify factors that influence their detection in a primary colonoscopy screening cohort. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed average-risk screening colonoscopies performed at a tertiary academic hospital and six community-based private practices in Germany between 01/01/2012 and 14/12/2016. Exclusion criteria were age < 50 years, conditions with increased risk for CRC (e. g. inflammatory bowel disease, history of CRC, hereditary cancer syndromes), and incomplete procedures. CrSPs were defined as serrated polyps ≥ 10 mm and/or > 5 mm located proximally to the splenic flexure. Conventional adenomas were defined as adenomas excluding serrated polyps. RESULTS: A total of 4161 colonoscopies from average-risk individuals were included (median age 62 years [interquartile range 56 - 69]; 48.6 % male). CrSPs were detected in 6.9 %, with a mean detection rate of 4.7 % (95 % confidence interval 2.3 % - 7.2 %). Detection rates ranged from 0 % to 16.2 %. In multivariate analysis, simultaneous detection of conventional adenomas and an endoscopist adenoma detection rate of ≥ 25 % were significantly associated with increased detection of crSPs, with odds ratios of 1.43 (95 %CI 1.11 - 1.85; P = 0.01) and 7.35 (95 %CI 4.43 - 12.19; P < 0.001). The individual endoscopist's detection rate for conventional adenomas and crSPs were significantly correlated (r = 0.54, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Detection rates for crSPs differed between participating endoscopists. However, individual skills to detect polypoid lesions have a relevant bearing on the detection rate of crSPs.

Ribavirin priming in patients with chronic hepatitis C and normal ALT: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ribavirin has favorable immune-modulating effects in patients with hepatitis C. Therefore, a ribavirin monotherapy preceding the combination of peginterferon plus ribavirin may be beneficial. We conducted a pilot study with a sequential regimen using a reduced dosage of peginterferon-alfa 2b in patients with chronic hepatitis C and normal transaminases. METHODOLOGY: Twenty patients (17 genotype 1, 3 genotype 2/3) were treated with ribavirin for 4 wk followed by ribavirin plus peginterferon-alfa 2b 100 microg for 4 wk and ribavirin plus peginterferon-alfa 2b 50 microg for 44 wk. TH1-cytokines interferon-gamma and interleukin-2, and TH2-cytokines interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 were measured in the supernatant from PHA-stimulated lymphocytes. RESULTS: Sustained viral response defined as negative HCV-RNA after follow up was 50%, 41%, and 100% for all patients, genotype 1, and genotype 2/3, resp. The increase in interferon-gamma following ribavirin monotherapy was significantly higher for patients with sustained viral response. CONCLUSIONS: The sustained viral response rate of this pilot study using ribavirin priming and reduced peginterferon dosage is in line with previous trials using standard treatment regimens for chronic hepatitis C. Our data stress the positive impact of the ribavirin-induced TH2-TH1 cytokine shift at least in patients with normal ALT. Larger clinical studies with ribavirin priming seem warranted.