title: Patient-centered, comparative effectiveness of esophageal cancer screening: protocol for a comparative effectiveness research study to inform guidelines for evidence-based approach to screening and surveillance endoscopy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The comparative effectiveness (CE) of endoscopic screening (versus no screening) for Barrett's esophagus (BE) in patients with GERD symptoms, or among different endoscopic surveillance strategies in patients with BE, for the early detection of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) is unknown. Furthermore, it is unclear if patients or providers have or will adopt any of these strategies (screening only, screening and surveillance, vs. none), irrespective of their effectiveness. Endoscopic screening and surveillance is expensive and can be risky. Therefore, it is imperative to establish the CE and acceptability about the risks and outcomes related to these practices to better inform expert recommendations and provider-patient decisions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We propose a mixed methods study which will involve: (1) an analysis of secondary databases (VA and VA-Medicare linked datasets for 2004-09) to examine CE of endoscopic screening and surveillance in an observational study cohort (an estimated 680,000 patients with GERD; 25,000-30,000 with BE; and 3,000 with EA); (2) a structured electronic medical record (EMR) review on a national sample of patients using VA EMRs to verify all EA cases, identify cancer stage, cancer-targeted therapy, and validate the screening and surveillance endoscopy; and (3) qualitative in depth interviews with patients and providers to elicit preferences, norms, and behaviors to explain clinical contexts of these findings and address gaps arising from the CE study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study will compare clinical strategies for detecting and monitoring BE, a pre-cancerous lesion. Additionally, by eliciting acceptability of these strategies for patients and providers, we will be able to propose effective and feasible strategies that are likely to be implemented in routine use. Findings will inform recommendations for clinical practice guidelines. Our innovative approach is consistent with the methodological standards of patient-centered outcomes research, and our findings will offer a significant contribution to the literature on cancer surveillance.
authors.affiliation: Houston VA HSR&D Center of Excellence, Michael E, DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arney
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: Zhigang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Street
authors.forename: Marilyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hinojosa-Lindsey
authors.forename: Aanand D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Naik
authors.forename: Hashem B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: El-Serag
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D057186:Comparative Effectiveness Research; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods; D015987:Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic; D004724:Endoscopy; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D006278:Medicare; D008875:Middle Aged; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000592:standards; D011159:Population Surveillance; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans