Low endoscopy referral rates ‘linked to poor cancer outcomes’

A new UK study has revealed that local variations in endoscopy referral rates across the UK could be putting some patients at an increased risk of dying from oesophageal and gastric cancer.

Research from the department of gastroenterology at the University of Liverpool has revealed that rates of elective upper gastrointestinal endoscopy differ significantly between GP practices across England.

Patients belonging to practices with low rates of endoscopy referral were shown to be at an increased risk of emergency admission for diagnosis, while lower rates of potentially curative surgery and poorer one-year survival trends were also noted among this group.

This inequality was most pronounced in practices serving deprived populations.

Dr Keith Bodger, consultant gastroenterologist at Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool, said: "Targeted interventions may be required for local populations having inappropriately low rates of investigation."

More than 8,000 new cases of oesophageal cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year, while gastric cancer is less common, with 6,000 new cases annually.