Identifying the real-world challenges of dysplasia surveillance in inflammatory bowel disease: a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary health network

BackgroundDysplasia surveillance in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is often suboptimal and deviates from guidelines. AimsTo assess dysplasia surveillance behaviours and adherence to guidelines amongst a large tertiary teaching health network with a specialised IBD unit to identify areas where dysplasia surveillance could be improved. MethodsA retrospective audit of IBD surveillance colonoscopy practice over an 18-month period was performed using the Provation Endoscopy Database and the hospital's primary sclerosing cholangitis database. ResultsThe audit identified 115 dysplasia surveillance colonoscopies. A total of 37% of index dysplasia colonoscopies were outside recommended guidelines. A total of 10% had inadequate bowel preparation and only 40% had excellent bowel preparation. A total of 28% of patients underwent dye-based chromoendoscopy and 69% underwent high-definition white-light endoscopy. Dye chromoendoscopy was more likely to be used by IBD specialists than interventional endoscopists (P = 0.008) and other endoscopists (P = 0.004). Only IBD specialists and interventional endoscopists used dye chromoendoscopy. Dysplasia or colorectal cancer was detected in 3.4% of the colonoscopies. Overall, the several dysplasia examinations were lower than expected. ConclusionsDysplasia surveillance in the IBD population remains an area of improvement given the current national guidelines. IBD specialists are more likely to perform dye chromoendoscopy than other endoscopists/gastroenterologists. Dysplasia rates in this real-world contemporary setting are less than expected in historical studies and may represent improvements in IBD management principles and medications.