Surveillance of Nondysplastic Barrett Esophagus Is Not Supportable

Despite routine recommendation of endoscopic surveillance in patients with Barrett esophagus (BE), few studies have documented its benefit in reducing dysplasia or cancer. Observational studies suggest that endoscopic surveillance might detect curable dysplasia in BE and might allow for discovery of less advanced cancers than those found in symptomatic patients. In the current case-control study, researchers assessed whether endoscopic surveillance in patients with BE was associated with reduced cancer mortality.

In a population of 8272 health care plan members who had been diagnosed with BE, investigators identified 38 case patients who died from esophageal adenocarcinoma and had received a diagnosis of BE at least 6 months prior to cancer …