Are Gastroenterologists Better at Colonoscopy Than Other Specialists? Yep
Douglas K. Rex, MD, MASGE, reviewing Mazurek M, et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021 Aug 24.
Numerous studies have found that colonoscopies performed by nongastroenterologists are associated with lower rates of polyp detection and higher rates of interval cancer than colonoscopies performed by gastroenterologists.
This study identified 36 relevant reports of more than 3.5 million colonoscopies.
Colonoscopies performed by surgeons were associated with a lower adenoma detection rate (ADR; odds ratio [OR], 0.81) and lower cecal intubation rate (OR, 0.76) compared with rates from colonoscopies performed by gastroenterologists. Colonoscopies performed by nongastroenterologist, nonsurgical endoscopists were associated with a lower ADR (OR, 0.91), higher interval cancer rate (OR, 1.23), and higher perforation rate (OR, 3.02).
COMMENTThese data provide strong support that all colonoscopists, regardless of specialty, should participate in quality measurement, reporting, and improvement.
Note to readers: At the time we reviewed this paper, its publisher noted that it was not in final form and that subsequent changes might be made.
CITATION(S)
Mazurek M, Murray A, Heitman SJ, et al. Association between endoscopist specialty and colonoscopy quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021 Aug 24. (Epub ahead of print) (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2021.08.029)
