Background and Aims
Similar to achieving adenoma detection rate (ADR) benchmarks to prevent colorectal cancer (CRC), achieving adequate serrated polyp detection rates (SDR) may be essential to the prevention of CRC associated with the serrated pathway. Previous studies have been based on data from high-volume endoscopists at single academic centers. Based on a hypothesis that ADR is correlated with SDR, we stratified a large, diverse group of endoscopists (n=77 practicing at 28 centers) into high and low performers based on ADR, to provide data for corresponding target SDR benchmarks.
Methods
Using colonoscopies in adults ≥ 50 years (4/09–12/14), we stratified endoscopists by high and low ADR (< 15%,15% to <25%,25% to <35%, ≥35%), to determine corresponding SDRs, using two SDR measures, for screening and surveillance colonoscopies separately: (1) Clinically significant SDR (CSSDR) = colonoscopies with any SSA/P, TSA, HP >1 cm anywhere in the colon or HP > 5 mm in the proximal colon only ÷ by total screening and surveillance colonoscopies, respectively. (2) Proximal SDR (PSDR) = colonoscopies with any serrated polyp (SSA/P, HP, TSA) of any size proximal to the sigmoid ÷ by total screening and surveillance colonoscopies, respectively.
Results
A total of 45,996 (29,960 screening) colonoscopies by 77 endoscopists (28 facilities) were included. Moderately strong positive correlation coefficients were observed for screening ADR/CSSDR (ρ=0.69) and ADR/PSDR (ρ=0.79) and a strong positive correlation (ρ=0.82) for CSSDR/PSDR (p<0.0001 for all). For ADR ≥25%, endoscopists’ median (IQR) screening CSSDR was 6.8% (4.3%–8.6%) and PSDR was 10.8% (8.6% –16.1%).
Conclusion
Derived from ADR, the primary colonoscopy quality indicator, our results suggest potential SDR benchmarks (CSSDR=7% and PSDR=11%) that may guide adequate serrated polyp detection. Because CSSDR and PSDR are strongly correlated, endoscopists could use the simpler PSDR calculation to assess quality.