Digestive findings that do not require endoscopic surveillance – Reducing the burden of care: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Position Statement

Summary of StatementsWith the aim of reducing the overall burden of care, ESGE recommends against surveillance of a series of conditions. Namely: ESGE recommends against surveillance of individuals with the following: an inlet esophageal patch; Los Angeles (LA) grade A or B erosive esophagitis; or < 1 cm columnar-lined esophagus. ESGE recommends against surveillance of those with intestinal metaplasia limited to the antrum unless additional risk factors are present, such as persistent Helicobacter pylori infection, incomplete metaplasia, or a family history of gastric cancer; or for fundic gland polyps in the absence of suspicious endoscopic features or hereditary syndromes. ESGE recommends against surveillance of gastrointestinal leiomyomas, lipomas, and antral pancreatic rests, provided that these lesions have typical ultrasonographic features. ESGE recommends against routine endoscopic surveillance in duodenal peptic ulcer, unless symptoms persist despite adequate therapy. ESGE suggests against surveillance of confirmed pancreatic serous cystic neoplasms. ESGE recommends against endoscopic surveillance for patients with hyperplastic polyps in the rectosigmoid, with 1 – 4 adenomas < 10 mm with low-grade dysplasia, or with a serrated polyp < 10 mm without dysplasia. ESGE recommends against surveillance of gastrointestinal conditions in individuals over 80 years old who have less than 10 years of life expectancy and poor general health status.

DOZ047.31: Screening and surveillance in adults after esophageal atresia repair: yield of follow-up endoscopies

Aim of the Study Because of the high prevalence of Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal carcinoma, it is internationally recommended to perform routine endoscopies in adult esophageal atresia (EA) patients. This study aimed to evaluate the yield of follow-up after the first screening endoscopy. Methods Prospective cohort study in a tertiary referral center since November 2011 was considered. All patients with EA ≥ 17 years old were invited to participate in the screenings and surveillance program. All patients underwent upper endoscopies with random biopsies of the distal esophagus at the level of the gastroesophageal junction and standard four-quadrant biopsies in case of BE. From the age of 25 years old chromoendoscopy with Lugol's staining was performed for detection of superficial squamous cell carcinoma. Depending on their age and the histologic results patients were recommended follow-up endoscopy every 3–5 years. Ethical approval had been obtained. Results In February 2019, 190 patients (58% male, 83% type C, median age at time of first endoscopy 25.5) (range: 16.8–68.6 years) participated in the screenings and surveillance program. Forty-six patients underwent at least one follow-up endoscopy after median 4.7 (range: 1.0–5.9) years. Most recent surveillance endoscopy revealed a normal esophagus in 62%, esophagitis in 10%, and columnar-lined esophagus in 26% of the patients. Histology revealed inflammatory changes within normal limits in 49%, esophagitis in 22%, gastric metaplasia in 18%, and intestinal metaplasia without dysplasia in 6%. In 8 patients (6 males, median age: 25.9 (range: 22.5–34.4)) columnar-lined mucosa was a new finding at the second endoscopy, after median 5.0 (range: 3.6–5.9) years. In two of them histology revealed intestinal metaplasia without dysplasia. Conclusions In line with previous studies, we found a 4-times increased prevalence (6.3%) of BE in adults with EA. Follow-up endoscopies detected two new cases of BE. Future studies are needed to identify patients at risk and personalize screening and surveillance regimes.

Prevalence and risk factors for Barrett’s esophagus in patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease

Introduction/Objective. The most important complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is Barrett?s esophagus (B?) and the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Prevalence of BE is 5?15% in patients with GERD symptoms. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for BE in patients with chronic reflux symptoms. A prospective study was conducted in the Clinic of Gastroenterology, Nis Clinical Center. Methods. We included 676 patients with chronic reflux symptoms, who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The biopsy specimens were obtained in a four-quadrant fashion at intervals of 2 cm from the circumferential endoscopic Barrett?s epithelium in the distal esophagus. BE was diagnosed by pathological examination. Results. Out of the total number patients with GERD, 92 were diagnosed with columnar-lined esophagus (CLE), the prevalence being 13.6%. Histological examination of biopsy from 92 patients with CLE revealed specialized intestinal metaplasia in 15 patients, with the prevalence of 2.22%. Compared to patients without BE, patients with BE were older and more commonly male. Univariable analyses showed that hiatal hernia and Helicobacter pylori infection were two significant risk factors for the onset of esophagitis. The age and the presence of reflux symptoms were associated with the presence of BE. Older age could be considered a significant risk factor for the development of BE and GERD. Conclusion. Prevalence of biopsy-proven BE and CLE in Serbia was 2.22% and 13.6%, respectively, in patients with GERD symptoms.