Gastroenterology
Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
Canadian IBD Network for Research and Growth in Quality Improvement
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada
Last updated: May 2024
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PPIs are effective drugs for the treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). Patients should always be prescribed the lowest dose of drug that manages their symptoms. Even though GERD is often a chronic condition, over time the disease may not require acid suppression and it is important that patients do not take drugs that are no longer necessary. For this reason patients should try stopping their acid suppressive therapy at least once per year. Patients with Barrett’s esophagus, Los Angeles Grade D esophagitis, and gastrointestinal bleeding would be exempt from this.
Sources:
Cahir C, et al. Proton pump inhibitors: potential cost reductions by applying prescribing guidelines. BMC Health Serv Res. 2012 Nov 19;12:408. PMID: 23163956.
Related Resources:
Patient Pamphlet: Treating Heartburn and Gastro-Esophageal Reflex (GERD): Using proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) carefully
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Upper GI series are often requested for the investigation of upper gastrointestinal symptoms. This investigation has a significant proportion of false positive and false negative results compared with endoscopy, and studies have consistently found that this is not a cost-effective approach compared to other strategies of managing dyspepsia.
Sources:
Makris N, et al. Cost-effectiveness of alternative approaches in the management of dyspepsia. Int J Technol Assess Health Care. 2003 Summer;19(3):446-64. PMID: 12962332.
Talley NJ, et al. American gastroenterological association technical review on the evaluation of dyspepsia. Gastroenterology. 2005 Nov;129(5):1756-80. PMID: 16285971.
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Endoscopy is an accurate test for diagnosing dyspepsia, but organic pathology that does not respond to acid suppression or Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy is rare under the age of 60. Most guidelines therefore recommend as the first line approach for managing dyspepsia either empirical proton pump inhibitor therapy or a non-invasive test for Helicobacter pylori and then offering therapy if the patient is positive. If the patient has alarm features such as progressive dysphagia, anemia or weight loss, endoscopy may be appropriate.
Sources:
Moayyedi P, Lacy BE, Andrews CN, Enns RA, Howden CW, Vakil N. ACG and CAG Clinical Guideline: Management of Dyspepsia. Am J Gastroenterol 2017;112:988-1013. PMID: 28631728
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Constipation is a common problem and systematic review data suggests this is not an accurate symptom in diagnosing organic disease. If the patient is also under the age of 50 and does not have a family history of colon cancer and there are no alarm features such as anemia or weight loss, then the risk of colorectal cancer is very low and the risks of colonoscopy usually outweigh the benefits in these patients.
Sources:
Ford AC, et al. Diagnostic utility of alarm features for colorectal cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis. Gut. 2008 Nov;57(11):1545-53. PMID: 18676420.
Related Resources:
Patient Pamphlet: Colonoscopy: When you need it – and when you don’t
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Data is conflicting, and while some evidence suggested that IBS patients are at increased risk for organic disease over the long-term compared with individuals in the general population, absolute rates remain low. With respect to CRC, the risk is low in the general population <50 years of age, and IBS is not a recognized risk factor for CRC. There appears to be little or no evidence that IBS increases the risk of CRC over the short-term compared with the general population, with the exception of a study from Taiwan that suggested a 3.6 times higher 10-year risk in the IBS group compared with the non-IBS group Finally, data do not support the idea that patients may be reassured by a normal colonoscopy. Therefore, the consensus group concluded that routine colonoscopy is generally not warranted in IBS patients <50 years of age, and alarm symptoms do not appear to increase the risk of CRC sufficiently to warrant routine colonoscopy. Alarm features that warrant investigation include, but are not limited to, rectal bleeding, weight loss and anemia.
GRADE: Strong recommendation, very low-quality evidence
Sources:
Moayyedi P et al. Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). J Can Assoc Gastroenterol. 2019 Apr;2(1):6-29. PMID: 31294724. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31294724/
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The adverse effects of long-term corticosteroid use are well-known and well-documented. In the TREAT registry, prednisone therapy was independently associated with serious infections (hazard ratio [HR], 1.57; 95% CI, 1.17–2.10; P = .002). No safe lower limit of dosing has been identified in which patients are spared from the adverse effects. The risks of long-term corticosteroid therapy and the lack of evidence supporting efficacy over placebo in this setting led the consensus group to recommend against the use of maintenance corticosteroid therapy.
GRADE: Strong recommendation, low-quality evidence
Sources:
Panaccione R et al. Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Luminal Crohn’s Disease. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019 Aug;17(9):1680-1713. Epub 2019 Mar 7. PMID: 30853616. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30853616/
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There is a lack of demonstrated efficacy of steroids in preventing relapse and concerns around the adverse events associated with long-term use, particularly in children.
GRADE: Strong recommendation, low-quality evidence.
Sources:
Panaccione R et al. Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Luminal Crohn’s Disease. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019 Aug;17(9):1680-1713. Epub 2019 Mar 7. PMID: 30853616. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30853616/
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While opioids may be used to manage abdominal pain in select acute settings in IBD patients, their prolonged use may mask the symptoms of active IBD or its complications (e.g., bowel perforation or megacolon). Chronic opioid use has been proven ineffective for non-malignancy associated chronic pain and is associated with excess mortality. Moreover, because of their potential risk for dependence, their long-term use for managing IBD-related abdominal pain should be avoided especially in the context of the opioid crisis in North America.
Sources:
Targownik LE, et al. The prevalence and predictors of opioid use in inflammatory bowel disease: a population-based analysis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2014 Oct;109(10):1613-20. PMID: 25178702.
Related Resources:
Campaign: Opioid Wisely
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Non-response to intravenous corticosteroids for acute severe UC can be predicted after the first 72 hours of treatment. However, about a third of non-responders receive systemic steroid monotherapy beyond 7 days. This prolonged use of ineffective systemic steroids may unnecessarily lengthen hospitalization days and increase risk of postoperative complications in those who eventually require colectomy.
Sources:
Bitton A, et al. Treatment of hospitalized adult patients with severe ulcerative colitis: Toronto consensus statements. Am J Gastroenterol. 2012 Feb;107(2):179-94. PMID: 22108451.
Kaplan GG, et al. Impact of hospital volume on postoperative morbidity and mortality following a colectomy for ulcerative colitis. Gastroenterology. 2008 Mar;134(3):680-7. PMID: 18242604.
Nguyen GC, et al. Quality of Care and Outcomes Among Hospitalized Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: A Multicenter Retrospective Study. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2017 May;23(5):695-701. PMID: 28426451.
Randall J, et al. Delayed surgery for acute severe colitis is associated with increased risk of postoperative complications. Br J Surg. 2010 Mar;97(3):404-9. PMID: 20101648.
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Clinical symptoms often prompt initiation or escalation of medical treatments for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, functional bowel disorders (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome) coexist in 20% of IBD patients and can mimic symptoms of the latter. Clinical symptoms, in fact, do not correlate well with IBD disease activity. Consequently, relying on only clinical symptoms without confirming active disease may commit patients to long-term treatments that have potentially significant adverse effects and resource implications.
Sources:
Abdalla MI, et al. Prevalence and Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease-Irritable Bowel Syndrome on Patient-reported Outcomes in CCFA Partners. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2017 Feb;23(2):325-331. PMID: 28092305.
Colombel JF, et al. Management Strategies to Improve Outcomes of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Gastroenterology. 2017 Feb;152(2):351-361.e5. PMID: 27720840.
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Abdominal CT scanning is effective for the time-sensitive diagnosis of IBD complications such as obstruction, perforation, or non-IBD related causes of abdominal pain when these are suspected. The effective ionizing radiation dose from a single conventional abdominal CT scan (10-20mSv) is within acceptable safety limits (<50mSv). However, minimizing inappropriate utilization of CT is a priority because repeated exposure to ionizing radiation over a lifetime, particularly among younger IBD patients, may potentially increase the risk of malignancy. In the acute setting (e.g., emergency department), abdominal CT scan should only be used when there is suspicion of a complication of IBD and should not be used for the assessment of disease activity.
Sources:
Kim DH. ACR Appropriateness Criteria Crohn Disease. J Am Coll Radiol. 2015 Oct;12(10):1048-57.e4. PMID: 26435118.
Smith-Bindman R, et al. Radiation dose associated with common computed tomography examinations and the associated lifetime attributable risk of cancer. Arch Intern Med. 2009 Dec 14;169(22):2078-86. PMID: 20008690.
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There is an increasing volume of literature which shows that delivery of health care in digestive health by telemedicine can be safe and effective.
Driving is one of the activities with a high carbon footprint. Cars emit an average of 206g of CO2e per kilometer. To put this in context a mature tree metabolizes about 20 kg of CO2 per year, the equivalent of driving less than 100km. Travel to and from health facilities by patients, visitors and staff accounted for 10% of the UK NHS emissions. Travel is a significant contributor to health care emissions.
In a cross-sectional study of more than 10 million patients and 63 million virtual care visits, virtual care was associated with avoidance of 3.2 billion km of patient travel, 545 to 658 million kg of carbon dioxide emissions, and $569 to $733 million (Canadian [US $465-$599 million]) in expenses for gasoline, parking, or public transit.
Sources:
de Jong MJ, van der Meulen-de Jong AE, Romberg-Camps MJ, Becx MC, Maljaars JP, Cilissen M, van Bodegraven AA, Mahmmod N, Markus T, Hameeteman WM, Dijkstra G, Masclee AA, Boonen A, Winkens B, van Tubergen A, Jonkers DM, Pierik MJ. Telemedicine for management of inflammatory bowel disease (myIBDcoach): a pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2017 Sep 2;390(10098):959-968. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(17)31327-2. Epub 2017 Jul 14. PMID: 28716313.
International Energy Agency. Fuel economy in major car markets: technology and policy drivers 2005-2017.
Tennison I, Roschnik S, Ashby B, Boyd R, Hamilton I, Oreszczyn T, Owen A, Romanello M, Ruyssevelt P, Sherman JD, Smith AZP, Steele K, Watts N, Eckelman MJ. Health care’s response to climate change: a carbon footprint assessment of the NHS in England. Lancet Planet Health. 2021 Feb;5(2):e84-e92. doi: 10.1016/S2542-5196(20)30271-0. PMID: 33581070; PMCID: PMC7887664.
Welk B, McArthur E, Zorzi AP. Association of Virtual Care Expansion With Environmental Sustainability and Reduced Patient Costs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ontario, Canada. JAMA Netw Open.2022;5(10):e2237545. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.37545. PMID: 36264577.
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This list was created by polling the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG) Quality Leads on items that were felt to meet the goals of Choosing Wisely Canada. The five items were selected for being the most frequently identified and reflected common GI disorders managed by health care professionals. This list was then voted on by the CAG Quality Leads and the statements were further modified for language by the group.
The recommendations related to IBD were developed by the Canadian IBD Network for Research and Growth in Quality Improvement (CINERGI) in collaboration with Crohn’s and Colitis Canada (CCC) and the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG). The CINERGI group comprises 14 gastroenterologists specialized in the care of inflammatory bowel disease representing 12 academic centres across Canada. A preliminary survey was sent to the CINERGI working group to solicit candidate recommendations. The top ten recommendations were selected by the working group members through an online voting platform. During a face-to-face consensus meeting in Toronto on November 4, 2016 that included CINERGI working group members, two radiologists, representatives from CCC and CAG, and two patient representatives, a modified Delphi process was used to select the top five recommendations. This list was submitted to the CAG Quality Affairs Committee, the Executive Board, and the CAG general membership for feedback and approval.
Sources:
Cahir C, et al. Proton pump inhibitors: potential cost reductions by applying prescribing guidelines. BMC Health Serv Res. 2012 Nov 19;12:408. PMID: 23163956.
Related Resources:
Patient Pamphlet: Treating Heartburn and Gastro-Esophageal Reflex (GERD): Using proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) carefully
Makris N, et al. Cost-effectiveness of alternative approaches in the management of dyspepsia. Int J Technol Assess Health Care. 2003 Summer;19(3):446-64. PMID: 12962332.
Talley NJ, et al. American gastroenterological association technical review on the evaluation of dyspepsia. Gastroenterology. 2005 Nov;129(5):1756-80. PMID: 16285971.
Moayyedi P, Lacy BE, Andrews CN, Enns RA, Howden CW, Vakil N. ACG and CAG Clinical Guideline: Management of Dyspepsia. Am J Gastroenterol 2017;112:988-1013. PMID: 28631728
Ford AC, et al. Diagnostic utility of alarm features for colorectal cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis. Gut. 2008 Nov;57(11):1545-53. PMID: 18676420.
Related Resources:
Patient Pamphlet: Colonoscopy: When you need it – and when you don’t
Moayyedi P et al. Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). J Can Assoc Gastroenterol. 2019 Apr;2(1):6-29. PMID: 31294724. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31294724/
Panaccione R et al. Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Luminal Crohn’s Disease. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019 Aug;17(9):1680-1713. Epub 2019 Mar 7. PMID: 30853616. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30853616/
Panaccione R et al. Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Luminal Crohn’s Disease. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019 Aug;17(9):1680-1713. Epub 2019 Mar 7. PMID: 30853616. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30853616/
Targownik LE, et al. The prevalence and predictors of opioid use in inflammatory bowel disease: a population-based analysis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2014 Oct;109(10):1613-20. PMID: 25178702.
Related Resources:
Campaign: Opioid Wisely
Bitton A, et al. Treatment of hospitalized adult patients with severe ulcerative colitis: Toronto consensus statements. Am J Gastroenterol. 2012 Feb;107(2):179-94. PMID: 22108451.
Kaplan GG, et al. Impact of hospital volume on postoperative morbidity and mortality following a colectomy for ulcerative colitis. Gastroenterology. 2008 Mar;134(3):680-7. PMID: 18242604.
Nguyen GC, et al. Quality of Care and Outcomes Among Hospitalized Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: A Multicenter Retrospective Study. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2017 May;23(5):695-701. PMID: 28426451.
Randall J, et al. Delayed surgery for acute severe colitis is associated with increased risk of postoperative complications. Br J Surg. 2010 Mar;97(3):404-9. PMID: 20101648.
Abdalla MI, et al. Prevalence and Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease-Irritable Bowel Syndrome on Patient-reported Outcomes in CCFA Partners. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2017 Feb;23(2):325-331. PMID: 28092305.
Colombel JF, et al. Management Strategies to Improve Outcomes of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Gastroenterology. 2017 Feb;152(2):351-361.e5. PMID: 27720840.
Kim DH. ACR Appropriateness Criteria Crohn Disease. J Am Coll Radiol. 2015 Oct;12(10):1048-57.e4. PMID: 26435118.
Smith-Bindman R, et al. Radiation dose associated with common computed tomography examinations and the associated lifetime attributable risk of cancer. Arch Intern Med. 2009 Dec 14;169(22):2078-86. PMID: 20008690.
de Jong MJ, van der Meulen-de Jong AE, Romberg-Camps MJ, Becx MC, Maljaars JP, Cilissen M, van Bodegraven AA, Mahmmod N, Markus T, Hameeteman WM, Dijkstra G, Masclee AA, Boonen A, Winkens B, van Tubergen A, Jonkers DM, Pierik MJ. Telemedicine for management of inflammatory bowel disease (myIBDcoach): a pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2017 Sep 2;390(10098):959-968. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(17)31327-2. Epub 2017 Jul 14. PMID: 28716313.
International Energy Agency. Fuel economy in major car markets: technology and policy drivers 2005-2017.
Tennison I, Roschnik S, Ashby B, Boyd R, Hamilton I, Oreszczyn T, Owen A, Romanello M, Ruyssevelt P, Sherman JD, Smith AZP, Steele K, Watts N, Eckelman MJ. Health care’s response to climate change: a carbon footprint assessment of the NHS in England. Lancet Planet Health. 2021 Feb;5(2):e84-e92. doi: 10.1016/S2542-5196(20)30271-0. PMID: 33581070; PMCID: PMC7887664.
Welk B, McArthur E, Zorzi AP. Association of Virtual Care Expansion With Environmental Sustainability and Reduced Patient Costs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ontario, Canada. JAMA Netw Open.2022;5(10):e2237545. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.37545. PMID: 36264577.
About Choosing Wisely Canada
Choosing Wisely Canada is the national voice for reducing unnecessary tests and treatments in health care. One of its important functions is to help clinicians and patients engage in conversations that lead to smart and effective care choices.
Web: choosingwiselycanada.org
Email: info@choosingwiselycanada.org
Twitter: @ChooseWiselyCA
Facebook: /ChoosingWiselyCanada
Bye Bye PPI
A toolkit for deprescribing proton pump inhibitors in EMR-enabled primary care settings.
Treating Heartburn and Gastro-Esophageal Reflux (GERD)
Using Proton-Pump Inhibitors (PPI) carefully.
Colonoscopy
When you need it and when you don’t.