Appropriateness of colonoscopy in Europe (EPAGE II) – Iron-deficiency anemia and hematochezia

I. Peytremann-Bridevaux; C. Arditi; F. Froehlich; J. O’Malley; P. Fairclough; O. Le Moine; R. W. Dubois; J.-J. Gonvers; S. Schusselé Filliettaz; J.-P. Vader; P. Juillerat; V. Pittet; B. Burnand; and the EPAGE II Study Group

doi:10.1055/s-0028-1119644

Endoscopy 2009; 41(3): 227-233
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1119644

Original article

Appropriateness of colonoscopy in Europe (EPAGE II) – Iron-deficiency anemia and hematochezia

I. Peytremann-Bridevaux¹ , C. Arditi¹ , F. Froehlich^2, ³ , J. O’Malley⁴ , P. Fairclough⁵ , O. Le Moine⁶ , R. W. Dubois⁷ , J.-J. Gonvers² , S. Schusselé Filliettaz¹ , J.-P. Vader¹ , P. Juillerat² , V. Pittet¹ , B. Burnand¹ , and the EPAGE II Study Group⁸

¹Healthcare Evaluation Unit, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (IUMSP), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
²Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
³Department of Gastroenterology, University of Basle, Basle, Switzerland
⁴General Practitioner, Moreton, United Kingdom
⁵Endoscopy Unit, Barts and The London NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
⁶Gastroenterology Department, Hôpital Erasme-ULB, Brussels, Belgium
⁷Cerner LifeSciences, Beverly Hills, USA
⁸The EPAGE II Study Group[*]

Abstract

Background and study aims:To summarize the published literature on assessment of appropriateness of colonoscopy for the investigation of iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) and hematochezia, and report appropriateness criteria developed by an expert panel, the 2008 European Panel on the Appropriateness of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, EPAGE II.

Methods:A systematic search of guidelines, systematic reviews and primary studies regarding the evaluation and management of IDA and hematochezia was performed. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method was applied to develop appropriateness criteria for colonoscopy for these conditions.

Results:IDA occurs in 2 % – 5 % of adult men and postmenopausal women. Examination of both the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract is recommended in patients with iron deficiency. Colonoscopy for IDA yields one colorectal cancer (CRC) in every 9 – 13 colonoscopies. Hematochezia is a well-recognized alarm symptom and such patients are likely to be referred for colonoscopy. Colonoscopy is unanimously recommended in patients aged ≥ 50. Diverticulosis, vascular ectasias, and ischemic colitis are common causes of acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB); CRC is found in 0.2 % – 11 % of the colonoscopies performed for LGIB. Most patients with scant hematochezia have an anorectal or a distal source of bleeding. The expert panel considered most clinical indications for colonoscopy as appropriate in the presence of IDA (58 %) or hematochezia (83 %).

Conclusion:Despite the limitations of the published studies, guidelines unanimously recommend colonoscopy for the investigation of IDA and hematochezia in patients aged ≥ 50 years. These indications were also considered appropriate by EPAGE II, as were indications in patients at low risk for CRC with no obvious cause of bleeding found during adequate previous investigations.

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References

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1 See Appendix: The EPAGE II Study Group

B. BurnandMD MPH

Healthcare Evaluation Unit
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (IUMSP)
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne

Rue du Bugnon 17
CH-1005 Lausanne
Switzerland

Fax: +41-21-3144954

eMail: Bernard.Burnand@chuv.ch

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