Building a tool to identify risk for Lynch syndrome among individuals presenting for screening colonoscopy

The goal of this work was to build and pilot-test a user-friendly Lynch syndrome risk assessment tool among individuals presenting for routine screening colonoscopy. Participants included adults presenting to a private practice-based, open-access endoscopy unit. Working with health literacy experts and gastroenterologists, and based on established criteria, we developed a simplified tool to assess Lynch syndrome risk, pre-procedure. A pilot-test of the tool assessed its: 1) clinical utility; 2) patient-reported usability; and 3) feasibility. The tool, in paper format, was written at a 9th grade reading level and included instructions for use followed by seven Lynch syndrome risk-related questions, structured such that one "Yes" response signified potential risk. A pilot-test of the tool among 334 patients revealed that 29 met criteria for Lynch syndrome risk. Of these, following telephone review of their responses, risk was confirmed in 9 patients (3% of total). The tool was reported as easy-to-use and was seen as feasible for use. Limitations include: 1) the need for infrastructure to distribute and collect the tool and 2) the availability of knowledgeable staff to review tool responses, confirm risk, and facilitate appropriate referral for genetic counseling. These data suggest that the tool affects assessment of Lynch syndrome risk among the routine colon cancer screening population.