The role of female endoscopists: are women gastroenterologists better at obtaining biopsies for celiac disease than men?

OBJECTIVES

Celiac disease (CD) is commonly found in women. Given the sex differences in diagnosed patients, we hypothesized sex differences in physicians obtaining biopsies for CD may exist.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed duodenal biopsies for suspected CD excluding pre-existing CD patients. Appropriate biopsy practice was defined as ≥5 specimens per ACG guidelines.

RESULTS

We included 125 patients (females, 92). There were 85 properly (68%) biopsied. Presence of a female endoscopist was associated with better adherence to biopsy guidelines (OR, 2.99, 95% CI, 1.19-7.54; p = .02) which remained significant after multivariable adjustment (adjusted OR, 2.7; p = .047).

CONCLUSIONS

Physician sex-based differences in biopsy patterns may exist.