Choosing Wisely in Gastroenterology: five new recommendations from the Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterologists and Endoscopists (AIGO)

Abstract

Background ‘Choosing Wisely’ is an international campaign against inappropriateness in medical practices that aims to promote a rational and evidence-based use of resources. The Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterologists and Endoscopists (AIGO) joined the Campaign in 2017 releasing five recommendations. Aims To identify five new recommendations for a correct, evidence-based approach to the management of gastrointestinal diseases. Methods All AIGO members were asked to identify practices or interventions that, even though diffuse in clinical practice, do not provide benefit for patients. The proposed items were then revised, divided by topic and ranked. After a systematic review of the literature for each item, five new recommendations were identified. Results The five recommendations are: do not request surveillance investigations for patients with pancreatic cysts who are poor surgical candidates, irrespective of cysts nature and characteristics; do not request esophagogastroduodenoscopy in patients with recent onset of upper gastrointestinal symptoms younger than 50 years, without alarm features; do not request surveillance colonoscopy for asymptomatic colonic diverticular disease without changes in symptoms; do not perform food intolerance tests except for those scientifically validated; do not prescribe proton pump inhibitors to patients with liver cirrhosis, outside of established indications. Conclusion The Choosing Wisely recommendations will reduce unnecessary testing and treatments, increasing patient safety and overall healthcare quality.