Data sources for measuring colorectal endoscopy use among Medicare enrollees.

BACKGROUND: Estimates of colorectal cancer test use vary widely by data source. Medicare claims offer one source for monitoring test use, but their utility has not been validated. We compared ascertainment of sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy between three data sources: self reports, Medicare claims, and medical records. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population included Medicare enrollees residing in North Carolina (n = 561) who had participated in a telephone survey on colorectal cancer tests. Medicare claims were obtained for the 5 years preceding the survey (January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2002). Information about sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy procedures conducted in physician offices were abstracted from medical records. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, agreement, and kappa statistics were calculated using the medical record as the gold standard. Agreement on specific procedure type and purpose was also assessed. RESULTS: Agreement between claim and medical record regarding whether an endoscopic procedure had been done was high (over 90%). Agreement between self report and medical record and between self report and claim was good (79% and 74%, respectively). All three data sources adequately distinguished the type of procedure done. None of the data sources showed reliable levels of agreement regarding procedure purpose (screening or diagnostic). CONCLUSION: Medicare claims can provide accurate information on whether a patient has undergone colorectal endoscopy and may be more complete than physician medical records. Medicare claims cannot be used to distinguish screening from diagnostic tests. Recognizing this limitation, researchers who use Medicare claims to assess rates of colorectal testing should include both screening and diagnostic endoscopy procedures in their analyses.     

Current progress on the endoscopic features of colorectal sessile serrated lesions

Along with the discovery and refinement of serrated pathways, the World Health Organization amended the classification of digestive system tumors in 2019, recommending the renaming of sessile serrated adenomas/polyps to sessile serrated lesions (SSLs). Given the particularity of the endoscopic appearance of SSLs, it could easily be overlooked and missed in colonoscopy screening, which is crucial for the occurrence of interval colorectal cancer. Existing literature has found that adequate bowel preparation, reasonable withdrawal time, and awareness of colorectal SSLs have improved the quality and accuracy of detection. More particularly, with the continuous advancement and development of endoscopy technology, equipment, and accessories, a potent auxiliary tool is provided for accurate observation and immediate diagnosis of SSLs. High-definition white light endoscopy, chromoendoscopy, and magnifying endoscopy have distinct roles in the detection of colorectal SSLs and are valuable in identifying the size, shape, character, risk degree, and potential malignant tendency. This article delves into the relevant factors influencing the detection rate of colorectal SSLs, reviews its characteristics under various endoscopic techniques, and expects to attract the attention of colonoscopists.     

Technology insight: confocal laser endoscopy for in vivo diagnosis of colorectal cancer

Recent studies on a novel technology, denoted confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE), have altered thinking about the possibilities of endoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer. CLE is a new endoscopic tool that allows in vivo histology at subcellular resolution during ongoing endoscopy, and permits subsurface imaging of normal and neoplastic human mucosa. This new technique has unequivocal major implications for the diagnosis and clinical management of patients scheduled for screening or surveillance colonoscopy for colorectal cancer. For instance, CLE allows immediate diagnosis of colonic neoplasias, and the detection of neoplastic cells helps to target endoscopic intervention to relevant areas. Furthermore, the combination of chromoendoscopy with CLE significantly decreases the number of biopsies required for cancer surveillance in patients with ulcerative colitis, but provides a fourfold higher diagnostic yield compared with white-light endoscopy used with random biopsies. Taken together, CLE has led colorectal cancer endoscopy into a new era. CLE can no longer be regarded as just another endoscopic technique, but emerges as a crucial novel imaging technique for in vivo diagnosis of colorectal cancer.     

Costs and cost effectiveness of a health care provider-directed intervention to promote colorectal cancer screening among Veterans.

PURPOSE: Colorectal cancer screening is underused, particularly in the Veterans Affairs (VA) population. In a randomized controlled trial, a health care provider-directed intervention that offered quarterly feedback to physicians on their patients' colorectal cancer screening rates led to a 9% increase in colorectal cancer screening rates among veterans. The objective of this secondary analysis was to assess the cost effectiveness of the colorectal cancer screening promotion intervention. METHODS: Providers in the intervention arm attended an educational workshop on colorectal cancer screening and received confidential feedback on individual and group-specific colorectal cancer screening rates. The primary end point was completion of colorectal cancer screening tests. Sensitivity analyses investigated cost-effectiveness estimates varying the data collection methods, costs of labor and technology, and the effectiveness of the intervention. RESULTS: Rates of colorectal cancer screening for the intervention versus control arms were 41.3% v 32.4%, respectively (P < .05). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was dollar 978 per additional veteran screened based on feedback reports generated from manual review of records. However, if feedback reports could be generated from information technology systems, sensitivity analyses indicate that the cost-effectiveness estimate would decrease to dollar 196 per additional veteran screened. CONCLUSION: An intervention based on quarterly feedback reports to physicians improved colorectal cancer screening rates at a VA medical center. This intervention would be cost effective if relevant data could be generated by existing information technology systems. Our findings may have broad applicability because a 2005 Medicare initiative will provide the VA electronic medical record system as a free benefit to all US physicians.     

Screening participation in individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer: a review

Literature regarding screening behaviour in individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer was reviewed, in order to determine the prevalence of screening in this population and identify factors associated with screening participation. Four electronic databases were searched from 1994. Thirty papers met the inclusion criteria, including 3 community surveys, 13 studies on first-degree relatives of colorectal cancer patients, and 14 studies on genetic services for colorectal cancer risk assessment. Individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer, who have not received risk assessment, frequently have never had any form of screening for colorectal cancer. Uptake of endoscopic screening when offered to individuals identified as being at increased risk was generally high (often >60% participation). Having a medical recommendation to screen, a stronger family history and perceiving fewer barriers to screening were identified as predictors of screening behaviour. Existing data suggest that use of screening tests in individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer is variable, and our understanding of factors associated with screening behaviour is limited. A number of methodological problems in research to date were identified, and further research is needed in order to inform interventions to support sustained screening participation in this population.     

Hispanic acculturation and utilization of colorectal cancer screening in the United States

BACKGROUND: Despite the evidence on the effectiveness of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening procedures, its use remains low, especially among Hispanics. Social-cultural factors may play a role in the underutilization of cancer screening. This study aimed to examine whether low acculturation was a risk factor for the underutilization of colorectal cancer screening in the Hispanic population. METHODS: The subjects were adults aged 50-80 years who identified themselves as Hispanic and never were diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer screening utilization was assessed based on the use of at-home Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) and the use of endoscopies (sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, or proctoscopy). Respondents who underwent a test for diagnostic purposes were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Our data showed that colorectal screening was underused in Hispanics compared to non-Hispanic Whites. There was a trend that acculturation level was inversely correlated with having an endoscopy in the past 5 years. This trend was also seen with having a FOBT in the past year or an endoscopy in the past 5 years. However, the association disappeared after adjusting for factors pertaining to utilizing other health care services. Additionally, after stratifying by gender, the association between the two variables was diluted. CONCLUSIONS: The findings show that low acculturation was associated with the underutilization of endoscopic colorectal cancer screening. This association may be related to lower utilization of health care services and/or language barriers that may contribute to the lower utilization.     

早期胃癌内镜诊断结果与基质金属蛋白酶-9的相关性研究

目的探讨早期胃癌的消化内镜诊断结果与基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)的相关性。方法选取2018年12月至2020年12月间福建医科大学附属泉州第一医院收治的60例早期胃癌患者,均行电子胃镜、染色内镜、放大内镜及超声内镜检查,将诊断结果与腹腔镜手术及内镜黏膜下剥离术(ESD)后病理诊断进行对比。取空腹血清,检测MMP-9水平,对比消化内镜诊断不同程度患者MMP-9水平情况,分析早期胃癌患者消化内镜诊断结果与MMP-9的相关性。结果患者消化内镜诊断与病理诊断虽具有一定差异,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。患者消化内镜诊断分期、淋巴结转移和侵袭程度的MMP-9表达水平比较,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。消化内镜诊断不同病理分期、淋巴结转移和侵袭程度的患者与MMP-9均呈正相关,差异有统计学意义(均P<0.05),肿瘤直径与MMP-9水平无明显相关性,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论消化内镜对早期胃癌患者的病理诊断准确性较高,早期胃癌患者的消化内镜病理诊断结果与MMP-9具有一定相关性,临床可采用消化内镜联合MMP-9检测对早期胃癌侵袭深度进行诊断。     

Endoscopic colorectal cancer screening: a cost-saving analysis

BACKGROUND: Comprehensive analyses have shown that screening for cancer usually induces net costs. In this study, the possible costs and savings of endoscopic colorectal cancer screening are explored to investigate whether the induced savings may compensate for the costs of screening. METHODS: A simulation model for evaluation of colorectal cancer screening, MISCAN-COLON, is used to predict costs and savings for the U.S. population, assuming that screening is performed during a period of 30 years. Plausible baseline parameter values of epidemiology, natural history, screening test characteristics, and unit costs are based on available data and expert opinion. Important parameters are varied to extreme but plausible values. RESULTS: Given the expert opinion-based assumptions, a program based on every 5-year sigmoidoscopy screenings could result in a net savings of direct health care costs due to prevention of cancer treatment costs that compensate for the costs of screening, diagnostic follow-up, and surveillance. This result persists when costs and health effects are discounted at 3%. The "break-even" point, the time required before savings exceed costs, is 35 years for a screening program that terminates after 30 years and 44 years for a screening program that continues on indefinitely. However, net savings increase or turn into net costs when alternative assumptions about natural history of colorectal cancer, costs of screening, surveillance, and diagnostics are considered. CONCLUSIONS: Given the present, limited knowledge of the disease process of colorectal cancer, test characteristics, and costs, it may well be that the induced savings by endoscopic colorectal cancer screening completely compensate for the costs.     

Knowledge of colorectal cancer among patients presenting with rectal bleeding and its association with delay in seeking medical advice

Background: Knowledge is believed to be a driving factor for patients’ early presentation for healthcare. This study was conducted to assess knowledge of colorectal cancer among subjects presenting with rectal bleeding and to determine its association with late presentation. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 80 patients with rectal bleeding, aged 40 and above, was conducted between December 2008 and June 2009 in the endoscopy unit, University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre. The research instruments used in this study was a self-administered questionnaire including data on duration of rectal bleeding, first medical consultation and knowledge of colorectal cancer. Results: Sixty percent of subjects with rectal bleeding delayed seeking medical advice. Subjects were more aware of symptoms of non-colorectal cancers compared to symptoms of colorectal cancer. The majority of subjects (63.8%) correctly identified rectal bleeding as a symptom but were not aware of the best screening method to detect colorectal cancer. Half of the subjects knew increasing age and genetic background to be risk factors for colorectal carcinoma. However, knowledge of colorectal cancer was not found to be significantly associated with delay in seeking help. Conclusion: Findings indicate poor awareness of colorectal cancer among the subjects. Although public education of colorectal cancer is important for early presentation on rectal bleeding, further studies are advocated to evaluate other factors influencing patients’ help seeking behavior other than knowledge.     

超细鼻胃镜在消化道狭窄性疾病中的临床应用

目的 探讨超细鼻胃镜在消化道狭窄性病变诊断与治疗中的应用与临床价值。方法 回顾性分析2016年1月1日—2017年12月31日160例鼻胃镜在食管、胃十二指肠、结直肠狭窄性病变中的通过率、狭窄下方病变检出率及内镜下治疗的情况。结果 在102例诊断性检查中, 鼻胃镜在食管、胃十二指肠、结直肠狭窄中的通过率分别为76.92%、50.00%、88.00%;在镜身可顺利通过狭窄病变的病例中, 狭窄下方新病变检出率分别为8.89%、0、27.78%。利用鼻胃镜共完成58例消化道狭窄相关内镜下治疗, 其中46例镜身可通过狭窄病变, 通过率为79.31%。结论 在标准胃肠镜无法通过的消化道狭窄相关疾病中, 超细鼻胃镜可以显著提高内镜下诊断的完整性、准确性, 还可以用于消化道狭窄性病变的内镜下治疗。     

Potential capacity of endoscopic screening for gastric cancer in Japan

In 2016, the Japanese government decided to introduce endoscopic screening for gastric cancer as a national program. To provide endoscopic screening nationwide, we estimated the proportion of increase in the number of endoscopic examinations with the introduction of endoscopic screening, based on a national survey. The total number of endoscopic examinations has increased, particularly in clinics. Based on the national survey, the total number of participants in gastric cancer screening was 3 784 967. If 30% of the participants are switched from radiographic screening to endoscopic screening, approximately 1 million additional endoscopic examinations are needed. In Japan, the participation rates in gastric cancer screening and the number of hospitals and clinics offering upper gastrointestinal endoscopy vary among the 47 prefectures. If the participation rates are high and the numbers of hospitals and clinics are small, the proportion of increase becomes larger. Based on the same assumption, 50% of big cities can provide endoscopic screening with a 5% increase in the total number of endoscopic examinations. However, 16.7% of the medical districts are available for endoscopic screening within a 5% increase in the total number of endoscopic examinations. Despite the Japanese government's decision to introduce endoscopic screening for gastric cancer nationwide, its immediate introduction remains difficult because of insufficient medical resources in rural areas. This implies that endoscopic screening will be initially introduced to big cities. To promote endoscopic screening for gastric cancer nationwide, the disparity of medical resources must first be resolved.     

超声内镜对消化道早期癌的诊断价值

目的：探讨超声内镜对消化道早期癌的临床诊断价值。方法对90例消化道早期癌患者的内镜检查及临床资料进行回顾性分析,以术后病理诊断为标准,探讨超声内镜对消化道肿瘤的临床早期诊断及分型诊断价值。结果超声内镜检查对食管癌、胃癌和结直肠癌的临床诊断的准确率为85．3％、88．9％、86．2％,均明显高于常规内镜检查结果。超声内镜对早期食管癌分型结果与术后病理学检查证实的符合率为85．3％（29／34）;其对早期胃癌的分型诊断结果表明早期胃癌以浅凹陷（Ⅱc）为主（40．7％）,浸润深度以黏膜内癌为主（63．0％）,组织学以低分化腺癌较多（74．1％）;与病理学分期诊断比较,超声内镜对29例早期结直肠癌患者的诊断准确为72．4％（21／29）。结论超声内镜对消化道早期癌的诊断价值较高,对其临床指导治疗具有重要的意义,值得进一步推广和应用。     

Long-lasting reduction of risk of colorectal cancer following screening endoscopy

Several studies have suggested that incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC) may be strongly reduced for up to 10 years by endoscopic screening with removal of precancerous lesions, but so far there are no data on risk reduction beyond this period. We assessed long-term reduction of CRC risk following screening endoscopy in a statewide population-based case-control study in Saarland, Germany. Lifetime history of screening endoscopy was compared between 320 cases with CRC aged 45-80 and 263 controls with other forms of cancer recruited from the same population. Potential confounding factors were controlled for by multiple logistic regression. 11% of cases compared to 27% of controls had a history of endoscopy for screening purposes (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.28, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.16-0.48). This strong risk reduction was also seen (OR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.19-0.89) in subjects who had their last screening endoscopy more than 10 years ago (median: 18.9 years). Long term (> 10 years since last screening) risk reduction appeared to be particularly strong for advanced (Dukes C or D) CRC (OR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.06-0.64). We conclude that risk reduction by screening endoscopy is long lasting, in particular with respect to advanced CRC.     

Electronic Risk Assessment System as an Appropriate Tool for the Prevention of Cancer: a Qualitative Study

Background: Decision making modalities for screening for many cancer conditions and different stages have become increasingly complex. Computer-based risk assessment systems facilitate scheduling and decision making and support the delivery of cancer screening services. The aim of this article was to survey electronic risk assessment system as an appropriate tool for the prevention of cancer. Materials and Methods: A qualitative design was used involving 21 face-to-face interviews. Interviewing involved asking questions and getting answers from exclusive managers of cancer screening. Of the participants 6 were female and 15 were male, and ages ranged from 32 to 78 years. The study was based on a grounded theory approach and the tool was a semistructured interview. Results: Researchers studied 5 dimensions, comprising electronic guideline standards of colorectal cancer screening, work flow of clinical and genetic activities, pathways of colorectal cancer screening and functionality of computer based guidelines and barriers. Electronic guideline standards of colorectal cancer screening were described in the s3 categories of content standard, telecommunications and technical standards and nomenclature and classification standards. According to the participations’ views, workflow and genetic pathways of colorectal cancer screening were identified. Conclusions: The study demonstrated an effective role of computer-guided consultation for screening management. Electronic based systems facilitate real-time decision making during a clinical interaction. Electronic pathways have been applied for clinical and genetic decision support, workflow management, update recommendation and resource estimates. A suitable technical and clinical infrastructure is an integral part of clinical practice guidline of screening. As a conclusion, it is recommended to consider the necessity of architecture assessment and also integration standards.     

Validity of self-reported colorectal cancer screening behavior.

End points for trials promoting cancer screening are often based on self-reported screening behavior. This study was designed to evaluate and optimize the reliability of a computer-assisted telephone interview for collecting self-reported colorectal cancer screening behavior. Cases who had received a fecal occult blood test (FOBT), flexible sigmoidoscopy, and/or colonoscopy, and controls who had no record of colorectal screening were identified among 40-75-year-old members of the Denver Kaiser Permanente Health Care Program and were contacted by telephone. Sensitivities and specificities of self-reported screening were calculated by comparison of subjects' recall with Kaiser Permanente records. The questionnaire was revised based upon results of the pilot phase of the study. Using the revised questionnaire, the sensitivity of self-reported screening was 96.2% for the FOBT, 94.9% for flexible sigmoidoscopy, 88.7% for colonoscopy, and 96.2% for either endoscopic screening test. The specificity of self-reported screening was 85.9% for the FOBT, 92.2% for flexible sigmoidoscopy, 96.8% for colonoscopy, and 92.0% for either endoscopic screening test. No marked differences in the accuracy of the self-reports were detected as a function of gender, age, ethnicity, or family history of colorectal cancer of the participants. Self-reports of colon cancer screening behavior can be reliably used as end points for intervention trials when carefully phrased questions are used.     

Present and future state of cancer screening for esophageal cancer and gastric cancer

Recently, endoscopic examinations have played a major role in the diagnosis and treatment in the field of gastroenterology. It is considered that endoscopy would be an important examination for cancer screening of the esophagus and the stomach. However, endoscopic services for cancer screening are in short supply. Furthermore, we have to take the complications and poor economic benefits of endoscopy in to consideration when we apply it as a practical cancer screening system. Thus, an effective primary screening system must be provided for the endoscopic screening of cancer of the esophagus and the stomach. People with a defect in aldehyde dehydrogenase-2(ALDH2)should be distinguished by their facial flushing in drinking and for their high risks of esophageal cancer. In cases with gastric cancer screening by endoscopy, an x-ray study is expected to be a primary screening because of its efficacy. It already has been recommended for population-based screening in Japanese guidelines for gastric cancer screening. In cases with opportunistic screening of gastric cancer, patients should be allowed to choose from several studies such as the x-ray study, direct endoscopy, and the so-called high risk screening of gastric cancer for estimating risks and planning of screening for gastric cancer.     

Cancer of the gastrointestinal tract: early detection or early prevention?

Gastrointestinal cancer is a major medical and economic burden worldwide. Oesophageal and gastric cancers are most common in the non-industrialized countries, while colorectal cancer is the predominant gastrointestinal malignancy in westernized countries. Their aetiology is mainly related to correctable and preventable lifestyle habits; namely diet (including obesity), physical activity, alcohol and tobacco intake, and sanitation. Prevention and/or treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection would significantly reduce the prevalence of gastric cancer. Screening for cancer, its early detection and treatment requires medical facilities, endoscopic expertise and a major investment of national financial resources. This is only feasible in affluent industrialized countries such as Japan for gastric cancer, some western countries for oesophageal and colorectal cancer. Only population screening for colorectal cancer has been proven feasible and cost-beneficial.     

Screening sigmoidoscopy and colorectal cancer mortality.

BACKGROUND: Sigmoidoscopy may reduce colorectal cancer mortality by identifying both cancers and precursor lesions (including polyps) for treatment; however, evidence regarding the efficacy of this technique as a screening procedure is extremely limited. PURPOSE: In the absence of data from randomized controlled trials, we performed a retrospective case-control study to determine if sigmoidoscopy screening is associated with a reduction in colorectal cancer mortality. METHODS: The medical records of 66 members of the Greater Marshfield Community Health Plan (GMCHP) who died of large-bowel cancer from 1979 to 1988 were reviewed for history of screening for colorectal cancer (case subjects). For comparison, the records of 196 GMCHP members of similar gender, age, and enrollment duration were randomly selected for review (control subjects). RESULTS: History of screening sigmoidoscopy was much less common among case subjects (10%) than among control subjects (30%). Risk for death from colorectal cancer was reduced among individuals having had a single examination by screening sigmoidoscopy (odds ratio = 0.21; 95% confidence interval = 0.08-0.52), compared with the risk for those who never had one. The reduction in risk appeared to be limited to tumors in the rectum and distal colon. Neither fecal occult blood testing nor digital rectal examination was associated with a reduction in colorectal cancer mortality. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that screening sigmoidoscopy can substantially reduce mortality from cancers of the rectum and distal colon.     

Preoperative endoscopic analysis of thymidine phosphorylase and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase in gastrointestinal cancer

Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) are considered to be key enzymes affecting the prognosis for patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer. Preoperative examination of TP and DPD expression levels and assessment of these enzymes in inoperable cancer patients may contribute to successful treatment. We tried to prove the correlation of TP and DPD expression in preoperative specimens by endoscopy and in surgical specimens. The present study was designed to quantify TP and DPD levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in tumor tissue obtained from 30 gastrointestinal cancer patients by preoperative endoscopy and surgery, including 15 gastric and 15 colorectal cancers. Successful cases as those in which cancer cells were demonstrated histologically in preoperative specimens by endoscopy were 12 (success rate: 80%) in gastric cancer patients, and 15 (success rate: 100%) in colorectal cancer patients. In successful cases, there were almost significant correlations in all cases, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer among the expression of TP, DPD, and TP/DPD ratio in each preoperative specimen by endoscopy and surgical specimen, respectively. On the other hand, in the gastric cancer group, 3 unsuccessful cases resulted in a significant departure from ideal equation compared with 12 successful cases. In actual clinical care, physicians should pay attention to and evaluate carefully the data from endoscopical biopsy specimens in which cancer cells may not be demonstrated histologically. Thus, endoscopic analysis of TP and DPD expression in preoperative or inoperable cancer patients may contribute to successful treatment.