Patients' values and preferences regarding endoscopic therapy for Barrett's esophagus: A cross-sectional survey study

Endoscopic eradication therapy (EET) has evolved as a minimally invasive and efficacious option to treat patients with dysplastic Barret's esophagus. We aimed to conduct a cross-sectional study to assess patient values and preferences on EET.

All consecutive patients at our clinic and endoscopy center were enrolled between November 2020 and April 2022. The primary outcome was their willingness to undergo EET measured using a validated survey tool. Predictors of this outcome included patient demographics, disease characteristics, procedure types, and physician characteristics. We used a multivariable logistic regression model to assess the association between the primary outcome and its predictors.

A total of 101 consecutive Barret's esophagus patients were surveyed. The median age was 67 years, and 71.3% were males. About 48% (n = 48) of the patients had dysplasia, 19% had no dysplasia and others were unsure about the presence or absence of dysplasia. About one-third (30%, n = 30) of patients placed equal values on preventing cancer and avoiding adverse events, and 68% said they were somewhat or definitely willing to undergo EET (ablation and resection). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, the patient value of high emphasis on cancer prevention (odds ratio [OR] 2.9 [1.1-7.6], p = 0.0344) and positive relationship with a gastroenterologist (OR 4.7 [1.3-17], p = 0.02) were strongly associated with increased willingness to undergo EET.

In this single-center prospective study of Barret's esophagus patients, the willingness to undergo EET was strongly associated with two predictors: high emphasis on cancer prevention and a positive relationship with the gastroenterologist.