EGD is used for the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease, but the frequency of the procedures performed may not match with the recently clarified guidelines from the American College of Physicians.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine examined the concordance of EGD with evidence-based guidelines. The study authors examined all adult outpatient EGDs performed at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston from Sept. 1, 2013 to Dec. 31, 2013 for indications of GERD, dyspepsia, esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus. The study included 550 EGDs.
The researchers found 208 (37.8 percent) of the EGDs did not align with the evidence-based guidelines. Of the patients 123 (22.4 percent) had more than one EGD within three years. The top reasons for deviation from the guidelines included inappropriate proton pump inhibitor trial prior to endoscopy, surveillance of Barrett's within three years and chronic reflux symptoms in women.