BACKGROUND: The indications for follow-up endoscopy have not been established in all diseases that can be diagnosed by endoscopy. METHODS: Selective review of the literature and a survey of national guidelines. RESULTS: In confirmed erosive or non-erosive reflux disease, follow-up endoscopy is indicated only in the presence of complications or Barrett's esophagus. In the case of gastric ulcer or complicated duodenal ulcer, monitoring by endoscopy is mandatory. There is no consensus regarding the indication for follow-up biopsy in confirmed endemic sprue. In an acute episode of confirmed ulcerative colitis, endoscopy is indicated only if the treatment depends on the findings. In confirmed Crohn's disease, this procedure is indicated only in the presence of complications, if the findings are unclear, and before elective intestinal surgery. Those at risk of hereditary colorectal carcinoma without polyposis should undergo colonoscopy annually, starting 5 years before the youngest age of occurrence in their family or at the age of 25 years, whichever comes first. CONCLUSIONS: With particular reference to further gastrointestinal diseases discussed in the main text, this review unfortunately shows that many of the indications for follow-up endoscopy remain to be ascertained. Controlled studies are needed to establish with sufficient certainty what really helps our patients.
BACKGROUND: The indications for follow-up endoscopy have not been established in all diseases that can be diagnosed by endoscopy. METHODS: Selective review of the literature and a survey of national guidelines. RESULTS: In confirmed erosive or non-erosive reflux disease, follow-up endoscopy is indicated only in the presence of complications or Barrett's esophagus. In the case of gastric ulcer or complicated duodenal ulcer, monitoring by endoscopy is mandatory. There is no consensus regarding the indication for follow-up biopsy in confirmed endemic sprue. In an acute episode of confirmed ulcerative colitis, endoscopy is indicated only if the treatment depends on the findings. In confirmed Crohn's disease, this procedure is indicated only in the presence of complications, if the findings are unclear, and before elective intestinal surgery. Those at risk of hereditary colorectal carcinoma without polyposis should undergo colonoscopy annually, starting 5 years before the youngest age of occurrence in their family or at the age of 25 years, whichever comes first. CONCLUSIONS: With particular reference to further gastrointestinal diseases discussed in the main text, this review unfortunately shows that many of the indications for follow-up endoscopy remain to be ascertained. Controlled studies are needed to establish with sufficient certainty what really helps our patients.
Authors: E F Stange; S Schreiber; U R Fölsch; A von Herbay; J Schölmerich; J Hoffmann; M Zeitz; W E Fleig; H J Buhr; A J Kroesen; G Moser; H Matthes; G Adler; M Reinshagen; J Stein Journal: Z Gastroenterol Date: 2003-01 Impact factor: 2.000
Authors: J C Hoffmann; M Zeitz; S C Bischoff; H J Brambs; H P Bruch; H J Buhr; A Dignass; I Fischer; W Fleig; U R Fölsch; K Herrlinger; W Höhne; G Jantschek; B Kaltz; K M Keller; U Knebel; A J Kroesen; W Kruis; H Matthes; G Moser; S Mundt; C Pox; M Reinshagen; A Reissmann; J Riemann; G Rogler; W Schmiegel; J Schölmerich; S Schreiber; O Schwandner; H K Selbmann; E F Stange; M Utzig; C Wittekind Journal: Z Gastroenterol Date: 2004-09 Impact factor: 2.000
Authors: E F Stange; S P L Travis; S Vermeire; C Beglinger; L Kupcinkas; K Geboes; A Barakauskiene; V Villanacci; A Von Herbay; B F Warren; C Gasche; H Tilg; Stefan W Schreiber; J Schölmerich; W Reinisch Journal: Gut Date: 2006-03 Impact factor: 23.059
Authors: W Schmiegel; A Reinacher-Schick; D Arnold; U Graeven; V Heinemann; R Porschen; J Riemann; C Rödel; R Sauer; M Wieser; W Schmitt; H-J Schmoll; T Seufferlein; I Kopp; C Pox Journal: Z Gastroenterol Date: 2008-08 Impact factor: 2.000
Authors: Thomas Wündisch; Christian Thiede; Andrea Morgner; Astrid Dempfle; Annette Günther; Hongxiang Liu; Hongtao Ye; Ming-Qing Du; Theo D Kim; Ekkehard Bayerdörffer; Manfred Stolte; Andreas Neubauer Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2005-10-03 Impact factor: 44.544
Authors: Nada Al-Tassan; Nikolas H Chmiel; Julie Maynard; Nick Fleming; Alison L Livingston; Geraint T Williams; Angela K Hodges; D Rhodri Davies; Sheila S David; Julian R Sampson; Jeremy P Cheadle Journal: Nat Genet Date: 2002-01-30 Impact factor: 38.330
Authors: W R Connell; J E Lennard-Jones; C B Williams; I C Talbot; A B Price; K H Wilkinson Journal: Gastroenterology Date: 1994-10 Impact factor: 22.682