Patients with Barrett Esophagus Overscreened for Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

Excessive endoscopic surveillance was observed in 65% of patients with nondysplastic BE.

National society guidelines recommend endoscopic biopsy surveillance in patients with nondysplastic Barrett esophagus (BE) every 3 to 5 years. This interval is predicated on the small but well-established risk for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) — previously estimated at about 0.5% per year but recently reported to be lower (JW Gastroenterol May 13 2011 and JW Gastroenterol Aug 19 2011). Now, investigators evaluate actual endoscopic surveillance practices in this population in a cross-sectional study from three centers of excellence for BE in the U.S.

Among 235 patients (76% male; 94% white; mean age, 62) with no history of high-grade dysplasia or EAC, the mean duration of BE was 6.5 years, and about half had BE for ≥5 years. The mean survei…

Reviewing Author

David A. Johnson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory boardMedscape/WebMD; Pfizer; CRH Medical Corporation; Aries

EquityCRH Medical Corporation

Editorial boardsMedscape Gastroenterology

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Gastroenterology Research Institute Board of Directors

David A. Johnson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory boardMedscape/WebMD; Pfizer; CRH Medical Corporation; Aries

EquityCRH Medical Corporation

Editorial boardsMedscape Gastroenterology

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Gastroenterology Research Institute Board of Directors