Exploring quality indicators for the detection of Helicobacter pylori-naïve gastric cancer: a cross-sectional nationwide survey

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori-naïve gastric cancer (HPNGC) is becoming increasingly important. This study aimed to explore the quality indicators for HPNGC detection. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, nationwide, web-based survey of gastrointestinal endoscopists in Japan. In addition to questions about the number of HPNGC cases detected in a year and basic information, the questionnaire also consisted of 28 questions: (1) 18 about HPNGC awareness, (2) six about diagnostic proactiveness, and (3) four about interest in HPNGC. RESULTS: Valid responses were obtained from 712 endoscopists. The Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society-certified endoscopists had a significantly higher HPNGC detection rate than the nonspecialists (0.42% vs. 0.32%, respectively; p=0.008). The results of the multiple regression analysis showed that Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society certification and high awareness and interest scores were independent predictors of the HPNGC detection rate (p=0.012, p<0.001, p=0.024, respectively). Principal component analysis showed that the endoscopists who attended conferences for collecting information on HPNGC had a higher level of awareness. CONCLUSIONS: To improve the detection of HPNGC, it is necessary to increase the awareness of the disease. It is hoped that relevant societies will play an important role in endoscopists’ education.