title: A survey of Canadian gastroenterologists about the management of Barrett's esophagus.
abstract: The aims of the present study were to determine practice patterns of Canadian gastroenterologists for screening patients with Barrett's esophagus and to compare current practice patterns with published guidelines. A secondary goal was to evaluate whether gastroenterologists recommend a "once in a lifetime" endoscopy for patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease. A structured questionnaire regarding screening for Barrett's esophagus was sent to members of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology. The overall response rate was 51% (203 of 396). Of the 203 respondents, 165 (81%) performed endoscopies in adults and form the basis of this report. The majority of Canadian gastroenterologists followed published guidelines, with 62% screening patients without dysplasia every two years. Patients with low grade dysplasia were screened more frequently, with 54% of respondents performing endoscopy every six months, and 35% on a yearly basis. Biopsy protocols showed the greatest variation, with 46% of gastroenterologists taking four-quadrant biopsies at 2 cm intervals along the columnar-lined (Barrett's) esophagus. Seventy-six per cent of gastroenterologists agreed that all patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux should have a "once in a lifetime" endoscopy to screen for Barrett's esophagus. The majority of Canadian gastroenterologists follow current guidelines for the management of Barrett's esophagus and support the concept of "once in a lifetime" endoscopy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Dalhousie University, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia B4H 2Y9, Canada.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: MacNeil-Covin
authors.forename: Alan G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Casson
authors.forename: Dickran
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Malatjalian
authors.forename: Sander
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Veldhuyzen van Zanten
mesh_terms: D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000628:therapy*; D002170:Canada; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005762:Gastroenterology; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012955:Societies, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires