3410 Lower endoscopy surveillance follow-up rates at two teaching hospitals

• Published in: Gastrointestinal endoscopy Vol. 51; no. 4; p. AB85
• Main Authors: Kim, Christopher Y., Johnson, Ralph H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.04.2000
• ISSN: 0016-5107; 1097-6779
• DOI: 10.1016/S0016-5107(00)14110-0

Background: Colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy (flex sig) have been established as part of a strategy for colon cancer surveillance. For surveillance to be effective, patients must follow-up on a regular basis. To plan long-term studies on the outcome of colon cancer surveillance, patients should follow-up at the same institution. The rates for colonoscopy and flex sig follow-up at an institution are unknown. Methods: All colonoscopy and flex sig reports at the VA Medical Center (VAMC) [Jan-Jun 1994] and at the Medical University of S Carolina (MUSC) [Feb-Jul 1994] during a 6 month period 5 years ago were collected. Recommended follow-up on the reports were noted, and subsequent lower endoscopies on these patients were also noted. VAMC patients death dates were available from the VA VISTA system. Results: See Table Conclusions: Over 50% of VA patients (death-adjusted) had follow-up lower endoscopies while about 30% at another teaching hospital had follow-up procedures. The reasons for differences are multiple, but a closed patient population (VA) is advantageous. The low rates suggest that gastroenterologists should be more aggressive in endoscopic follow-up rather than relying on primary care physicians. Finally, procedure tracking may have improved since 1994, and these rates should be monitored over time.