Publications by authors named "Valbona Metko"
Article Synopsis
- A study looked at whether low-risk patients would delay their colonoscopy for higher-risk patients, given long wait times in some health care systems.
- Out of 1054 Veterans surveyed, 94% were open to this delay, even though 29% weren't inclined to stop screening despite medical advice.
- The research found that trust in doctors and health literacy increased willingness to wait, while a higher perceived risk of colorectal cancer and certain racial/ethnic backgrounds decreased it, highlighting the potential for altruistic strategies in resource allocation.
Introduction: Guidelines suggest screening of individuals who are at increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Tools for identifying patients at risk of Barrett's esophagus have been validated. Here, we aimed to compare and validate the tools for the primary outcomes of interest: EAC and esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma (EGJAC).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIncomplete Response of Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptoms Poorly Predicts Erosive Esophagitis or Barrett's Esophagus.
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol
November 2021
Background & Aims: Many patients with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) not responding to a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) undergo an upper endoscopy. We hypothesized that an incomplete response to a PPI is not associated with findings of esophageal pathology on endoscopy, and that psychological distress is associated inversely with pathology.
Methods: We enrolled consecutive individuals aged 40 to 79 years with prior heartburn or regurgitation.
Background & Aims: Guidelines suggest endoscopic screening of individuals who are at increased risk for Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Tools based on clinical factors are available for identifying patients at risk, but only some have been validated. We aimed to compare and validate available tools.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Guidelines for colorectal cancer screening emphasize personalized approaches for older adults, focusing on life expectancy and cancer risk, but little is known about patient perspectives on these recommendations.
- A survey conducted with veterans over 50 who previously had normal colonoscopies aimed to explore their comfort with stopping low-value CRC screening based on potential health benefits.
- Out of 1,415 potential respondents, 74.5% completed the survey; results indicated that many veterans were uncomfortable with ending low-value screenings and felt that age and life expectancy calculators should not dictate screening decisions.
Association of Vitamin D and Parathyroid Hormone With Barrett's Esophagus.
J Clin Gastroenterol
September 2020
Background: Esophageal adenocarcinoma has been inversely associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation. This could be because of vitamin D deficiency or hyperparathyroidism promoting gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Barrett's esophagus.
Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the association between parathyroid hormone (PTH) and vitamin D deficiency with GERD symptoms, erosive esophagitis, and Barrett's esophagus.
Background: Trainees learn colonoscopy skills at varying speeds. We hypothesized that a fellow's ability to reliably reach the splenic flexure early in training could predict the number of procedures required to achieve competency in intubating the cecum.
Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data.
Background: Skills decay without practice, but the degree is task specific. Some experts believe that it is essential to teach endoscopy longitudinally to build and maintain endoscopic skills.
Objective: To determine whether breaks in gastroenterology fellow endoscopy training are associated with a decrement in competency in independent intubation of the cecum.
Objectives: Risk factors for Barrett's esophagus include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms, age, abdominal obesity, and tobacco use. We aimed to develop a tool using these factors to predict the presence of Barrett's esophagus.
Methods: Male colorectal cancer (CRC) screenees were recruited to undergo upper endoscopy, identifying newly diagnosed cases of Barrett's esophagus.