Feasibility of a simplified narrow-band imaging classification system for Barrett's esophagus for novice endoscopists

Background: Narrow-band imaging (NBI) classifications for Barrett's esophagus have been proposed for the detection of early esophageal adenocarcinoma. We developed a simplified classification system with demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy and reproducibility among experienced endoscopists, but the feasibility of this system among novice endoscopists was unclear.

Methods: In the present study, eight novice endoscopists with no experience of magnification endoscopy were asked to review 248 images of Barrett's esophagus (72 dysplastic, 176 non-dysplastic) obtained using high-definition magnification endoscopy with NBI 6 weeks before (1st test), immediately after (2nd test), and 6 weeks after (3rd test) being taught the simplified classification system. The primary outcomes were differences in diagnostic accuracy for dysplasia among the three tests.

Results: The specificity and overall accuracy improved significantly in the 2nd vs. 1st test [97% vs. 80% (p < 0.001) and 94% vs. 82% (p < 0.001), respectively], but sensitivity was comparable (87% in both tests; p = 0.42). In the 3rd test, the sensitivity and overall accuracy decreased significantly compared with the 2nd test [82% vs. 87% (p < 0.001) and 93% vs. 94% (p < 0.05), respectively], but there was no significant difference in specificity (97% in both tests; p = 0.16). The kappa values for interobserver agreement for the mucosal pattern, vascular pattern, and predicted histology were substantial, and improved significantly in the 2nd vs. 1st test (0.78 vs. 0.59, 0.70 vs. 0.53, and 0.79 vs. 0.66, respectively; p < 0.001 for all).

Conclusions: The simplified NBI classification system may be appropriate for novice endoscopists to use in providing high accuracy and reproducibility.