Association between Endoscopist Specialty and Colonoscopy Quality: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

\n Background\n\nColonoscopy is an important modality in the provision of colorectal cancer screening. Though effective and safe, the performance of screening-related colonoscopy is variable in terms of its overall quality, with endoscopist-related factors playing an important role in this variation. The purpose of this study is to systematically review the association between endoscopist specialty and colonoscopy quality and outcomes.\nMethods\n\nA comprehensive electronic search will be carried out to determine the association between endoscopist specialty and colonoscopy quality metrics and/or outcomes in adult patients undergoing colonoscopy. Two abstracters will independently determine study eligibility, assess study quality, and abstract study data. The primary outcome will be the adenoma detection rate (ADR); secondary outcomes will include cecal intubation rate (CIR), withdrawal time (WT), adverse events (AEs) and post-colonoscopy colorectal cancer (PCCRC). Rates of the above metrics and outcomes will also be compared between clinically relevant subgroups determined a priori. DerSimonian and Laird models will be used to perform meta-analyses for each outcome. Sources of heterogeneity will be explored via meta-regression analyses, if possible.\nDiscussion\n\nGiven the significant established variation in colonoscopy quality, endoscopist-related factors need to be explored. Our meta-analysis will address the important question of whether the specialty of the endoscopist impacts colonoscopy quality and/or outcomes.\nSystematic Review Registration\n PROSPERO CRD42021226251.