Advanced endoscopy fellowship training in the United States: recent trends in American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy advanced endoscopy fellowship match, trainee experience, and postfellowship employment

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) advanced endoscopy fellowship (AEF) match offers a structured application process for AEF training in the United States. Our aim was to describe recent trends in AEF match, trainee experience, and postfellowship employment.

METHODS

ASGE AEF match data from 2012 to 2020 were reviewed. Online surveys were sent to advanced endoscopy trainees in 2019 and 2020 to explore their perceptions about AEF training and postfellowship jobs.

RESULTS

Data for 2020 showed 19% of matched applicants were women, 55% foreign medical graduates, and 17.5% U.S. visa holders. The number of AEF match applicants increased by 15.6% (90 in 2012 to 104 in 2020) and number of AEF programs increased by 23.5% (51 in 2012 to 63 in 2020). The average applicant match rate was 57% (range, 52.8%-60.6%) and position match rate 87.9% (range, 79.1%-94.6%). Ninety-one percent of trainees (n = 58) rated the quality of their training as very good/excellent; 75% of trainees participated in >300 ERCPs and 64.1% in >300 EUS cases. Seventy percent of trainees reported that advanced endoscopic procedures comprised ≤50% of their procedure volume in their first job, and 71.9% believed it was not easy to find a job after fellowship; however, 97% believed they would make the same decision to pursue AEF training again.

CONCLUSIONS

There has been a steady increase in the number of advanced endoscopy applicants and training positions over recent years. Most graduating fellows reported 50% or less of their upcoming clinical practice would involve advanced endoscopic procedures. Future studies are needed to further clarify employment opportunities and personnel needs for advanced endoscopists.

Variables affecting penetrance of gastric and duodenal phenotype in familial adenomatous polyposis patients

BACKGROUND

Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) frequently undergo colectomy to reduce the 70 to 90% lifetime risk of colorectal cancer. After risk-reducing colectomy, duodenal cancer and complications from duodenal surgeries are the main cause of morbidity. Our objective was to prospectively describe the duodenal and gastric polyp phenotype in a cohort of 150 FAP patients undergoing pre-screening for a chemoprevention trial and analyze variables that may affect recommendations for surveillance.

METHODS

Individuals with a diagnosis of FAP underwent prospective esophagogastroduodenoscopy using a uniform system of mapping of size and number of duodenal polyps for a 10 cm segment. Gastric polyps were recorded as the total number.

RESULTS

The distribution of the count and sum diameter of duodenal polyps were statistically different in two genotype groups, those with APC mutations associated with classic FAP had a greater count (median 17) and sum diameter of polyps (median 32 mm) than those with APC mutations associated with attenuated FAP (median count 4 and median sum diameter of 7 mm) (p < 0.0001). The number of gastric polyps did not differ based on genotype (p = 0.67) but advancing age correlated with severity of gastric polyposis (p = 0.019). Spigelman (modified) staging of II or greater was found in 88% of classic FAP patients and 48% attenuated FAP patients. Examples of severe and mild upper GI phenotype are observed in patients with identical APC mutations, showing that the APC mutation location is not absolutely predictive of an upper GI phenotype.

CONCLUSIONS

Most FAP patients have duodenal and gastric polyps which become more prevalent and advanced with age. Standard upper endoscopic surveillance is recommended based on personal history independent of APC mutation location.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT 01187901 registered August 24, 2010, prospective to enrollment.

Chemoprevention with Cyclooxygenase and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Patients: mRNA Signatures of Duodenal Neoplasia

To identify gene expression biomarkers and pathways targeted by sulindac and erlotinib given in a chemoprevention trial with a significant decrease in duodenal polyp burden at 6 months (P < 0.001) in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients, we biopsied normal and polyp duodenal tissues from patients on drug versus placebo and analyzed the RNA expression. RNA sequencing was performed on biopsies from the duodenum of FAP patients obtained at baseline and 6-month endpoint endoscopy. Ten FAP patients on placebo and 10 on sulindac and erlotinib were selected for analysis. Purity of biopsied polyp tissue was calculated from RNA expression data. RNAs differentially expressed between endpoint polyp and paired baseline normal were determined for each group and mapped to biological pathways. Key genes in candidate pathways were further validated by quantitative RT-PCR. RNA expression analyses of endpoint polyp compared with paired baseline normal for patients on placebo and drug show that pathways activated in polyp growth and proliferation are blocked by this drug combination. Directly comparing polyp gene expression between patients on drug and placebo also identified innate immune response genes (IL12 and IFNγ) preferentially expressed in patients on drug. Gene expression analyses from tissue obtained at endpoint of the trial demonstrated inhibition of the cancer pathways COX2/PGE2, EGFR, and WNT. These findings provide molecular evidence that the drug combination of sulindac and erlotinib reached the intended tissue and was on target for the predicted pathways. Furthermore, activation of innate immune pathways from patients on drug may have contributed to polyp regression. Cancer Prev Res; 11(1); 4-15. ©2017 AACRSee related editorial by Shureiqi, p. 1.

Effect of Sulindac and Erlotinib vs Placebo on Duodenal Neoplasia in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) are at markedly increased risk for duodenal polyps and cancer. Surgical and endoscopic management of duodenal neoplasia is difficult and chemoprevention has not been successful.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of a combination of sulindac and erlotinib on duodenal adenoma regression in patients with FAP.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, enrolling 92 participants with FAP, conducted from July 2010 through June 2014 at Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants with FAP were randomized to sulindac (150 mg) twice daily and erlotinib (75 mg) daily (n = 46) vs placebo (n = 46) for 6 months.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The total number and diameter of polyps in the proximal duodenum were mapped at baseline and 6 months. The primary outcome was change in total polyp burden at 6 months. Polyp burden was calculated as the sum of the diameters of polyps. The secondary outcomes were change in total duodenal polyp count, change in duodenal polyp burden or count stratified by genotype and initial polyp burden, and percentage of change from baseline in duodenal polyp burden.

RESULTS

Ninety-two participants (mean age, 41 years [range, 24-55]; women, 56 [61%]) were randomized when the trial was stopped by the external data and safety monitoring board because the second preplanned interim analysis met the prespecified stopping rule for superiority. Grade 1 and 2 adverse events were more common in the sulindac-erlotinib group, with an acne-like rash observed in 87% of participants receiving treatment and 20% of participants receiving placebo (P < .001). Only 2 participants experienced grade 3 adverse events. [table: see text].

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among participants with FAP, the use of sulindac and erlotinib compared with placebo resulted in a lower duodenal polyp burden after 6 months. Adverse events may limit the use of these medications at the doses used in this study. Further research is necessary to evaluate these preliminary findings in a larger study population with longer follow-up to determine whether the observed effects will result in improved clinical outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT 01187901.

Elemental diet induces histologic response in adult eosinophilic esophagitis

OBJECTIVES

Elemental diets have not been studied in adults with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). The goal of this trial was to assess the efficacy of an elemental diet in adults with EoE.

METHODS

A total of 18 adults with EoE were given an elemental diet for 4 weeks, or just 2 weeks if their response was complete. Symptoms and histologic findings, based on biweekly biopsies, were monitored. Six subjects were rebiopsied 2-7 days after resuming a normal diet.

RESULTS

After therapy, esophageal tissue eosinophil content decreased from 54 to 10 per maximal high power field (P=0.0006). There was complete or nearly complete response (≤10 eosinophils) in 72% of subjects. Mast cell content, parabasal layer thickness, and endoscopic furrows and exudates also significantly decreased. Of the 29 qualified subjects, 11 (38%) failed to adhere to the diet. Several subjects had significant weight loss. Symptoms and endoscopic fixed strictures did not improve. After the subjects resumed a normal diet, the eosinophil content increased substantially in 3-7 days.

CONCLUSIONS

While symptoms did not improve and dietary compliance was problematic, there was substantial histologic improvement after 4 weeks on the elemental diet. EoE in adults is substantially triggered by foods.

Retrospective analysis of esophageal food impaction: differences in etiology by age and gender

Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EE) is an emerging cause of esophageal food impaction (EFI) not accounted for in previous studies. We sought to determine the causes of EFI in a recent cohort with recognition of EE. A retrospective chart review of all patients with EFI during the past 5 years was performed. Etiology was determined by endoscopy report, pathology results, and follow-up studies. A total of 85 EFIs occurred, in 79 patients (55 men, 30 women, age 18-100). The most common etiologies of EFI were Schatzki's ring (n = 18), peptic stricture (n = 18), EE (n = 9), esophagitis (n = 9), and no underlying diagnosis (n = 20). EE was significantly more frequent in men (P < .025) and those <50 years old (P < .025). There was a significant difference in the age at which men (median age = 44) and women (median age = 71) present with EFI (P < .001). The etiology of EFI differs significantly by age and gender. This information may be useful in evaluation and management of EFI.

Endoscopic placement of enteral feeding catheters

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Critical to realizing increasing benefits of enteral nutrition are techniques for feeding tube placement. Feeding tubes can be placed by bedside, endoscopic, fluoroscopic, and surgical methods. This review encompasses noteworthy studies on endoscopic approaches to enteral feeding published from January 2005 to the present.

RECENT FINDINGS

Studies involving placement of nasoenteric feeding tubes include description of new methods for endoscopic nasoenteric feeding tube placement using a push technique with a stiffened tube, a modification of the 'drag and pull' method using a distal suture tie, and placement using an ultrathin transnasal endoscopic technique compared with fluoroscopic placement. Recent studies involving percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement have demonstrated equivalent outcomes of endoscopic and fluoroscopic approaches, description of unsedated placement using transnasal technique, and risk of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy site metastasis in head and neck cancer patients. Studies on percutaneous jejunal feeding tubes demonstrate: high complication rate and short functional duration of percutaneous endoscopic gastrojejunostomy and reported outcomes of direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy placement.

SUMMARY

Enteral nutrition access can be obtained by a variety of methods depending on local expertise and resources. Endoscopic approaches have equivalent or better outcomes than other methods; however, these methods may still have limitations and distinct complications.