Paul Doria-Rose

DVM, PhD

National Cancer Institute

Epidemiologist

PLCO (Learn more about this study)

PLCO-180

Dec 11, 2015

Accuracy of self-reported colonoscopy findings

Epidemiologic studies often rely on self-report to determine both the use and results of colonoscopy examination. The validity of these studies is therefore dependent on the accuracy of people’s recall. Several studies have assessed the validity of self-reported receipt of colonoscopy; however, few studies have reported on a person’s ability to remember colonoscopy findings (for example, if polyps were found). Further, there is little research addressing this question in those undergoing surveillance following adenoma diagnosis. The study of colonoscopy utilization (SCU), an ancillary study nested within the PLCO, provides a unique resource to address the validity of colonoscopy self-report. SCU recruited a broad sample of participants in the PLCO screening arm based on results of the baseline sigmoidoscopy (advanced adenomas, non-advanced adenomas, positive screen with non-adenomatous findings, negative screen, inadequate screen, non-attendance). Participants were then asked to report their subsequent colonoscopy use and exam findings (over a minimum five-year period), through a telephone-administered questionnaire. For all participants reporting a colonoscopy, medical records were used in an attempt to verify the exam findings. The goal of this project is to determine how accurately participants reported findings from their previous colonoscopy and to identify characteristics associated with accuracy. We propose to evaluate the validity of self-reported colonoscopy findings by comparing the questionnaire to the medical record.