乌鸦传媒

Background & Aims

The adenoma detection rate (ADR) and characteristics of previously resected adenomas are associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality. However, the combined effect of both factors on CRC mortality is unknown.

Patients and Methods

Using data of the Austrian quality assurance program for screening colonoscopy, we evaluated the combined effect of ADR and lesion characteristics on subsequent risk for CRC mortality. We analyzed mortality rates for individuals with low-risk adenomas (1-2 adenomas <10 mm), individuals with high-risk adenomas (advanced adenomas or ≥3 adenomas), and after negative colonoscopy (negative colonoscopy or small hyperplastic polyps) performed by endoscopists with an ADR <25% compared with ≥25%. Cox-regression was used to determine the association of combined risk groups with CRC mortality, adjusted for age and sex.

Results

We evaluated 259,885 colonoscopies performed by 361 endoscopists. A total of 165 CRC-related deaths occurred during the follow-up period, up to 12.2 years. In all risk groups, CRC mortality was higher when colonoscopy was performed by an endoscopist with an ADR <25%. Compared to negative colonoscopy with an ADR ≥25%, CRC mortality was similar for individuals with low-risk adenomas irrespective of ADR (adjusted HR 1.22, 95% CI 0.59-2.49 for ADR ≥25%, and adjusted HR 1.25, 95% CI 0.64-2.43 for ADR <25%) and after negative colonoscopy with ADR <25% (adjusted HR 1.27, 95% CI 0.81-2.00). Individuals with high-risk adenomas were at significantly higher risk for CRC death if colonoscopy was performed by an endoscopist with an ADR <25% (adjusted HR 2.25, 95% CI 1.18-4.31), but not if performed by an endoscopist with an ADR ≥25% (adjusted HR 1.35, 95% CI 0.61-3.02).

Conclusions

Our study adds important evidence for mandatory assessment and monitoring of performance quality in screening colonoscopy. High-quality colonoscopy was associated with a lower risk for CRC death, and the impact of ADR was strongest for individuals with high-risk adenomas.

You can read an interview with two of the study's authors here, and about the clinical implications of the study here.