Introduction

Gastrointestinal endoscopy (GIE) procedures are used to investigate the symptoms and signs of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases and responses to treatment. They are also used to aid in the prevention of certain cancers, such as colorectal cancer (CRC) and esophageal cancer. GIE procedures are used to examine both the lower and upper parts of the GI system.

Colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy are procedures for the lower part of the GI system, while gastroscopy, esophagoscopy and small bowel endoscopy are procedures for the upper part of the GI system. Small bowel endoscopy is a newer procedure (not identified in the medical services data until 2001); other procedures have been in use for much longer periods.

Data Sources

GIE procedures can be identified using tariff codes found in the Medical Services (Physician Claims) data.

Tariff Codes for GIE and Small Bowel Endoscopy Procedures

There are several tariff codes available in the Medical Services data that were used to identify lower and upper GIE and small bowel endoscopy procedures in Lix et al. . They investigated GIE procedure rates for the adult (age 19+) population of Manitoba from fiscal years 1984/85 to 2016/17.

NOTE: A list of these codes can be found on-line in Appendix 3: Appendix Table 3.2 Tariff Codes Used to Identify Study Cohorts of the deliverable.

Lower GIE Procedure Tariff Codes

Tariff Code	Description
3185	Intestines (except rectum), colonoscopy
3186	Intestines (except rectum), colonoscopy with biopsy
3187	Intestines (except rectum), colonoscopy with polypectomy
3189	Colonoscopy with polypectomy using electro-cautery device
3320	Rectum, flexible sigmoidoscopy beyond 25 cm to 65 cm, with or without biopsy
3323	Rectum, flexible sigmoidoscopy beyond 25 cm to 65 cm, with or without biopsy, with removal of one polyp

Upper GIE Procedure Tariff Codes

Tariff Code	Description
3055	Oesophagus, oesophagoscopy, diagnostic, with biopsy if necessary
3063	Oesophagus, oesophagoscopy, diagnostic, subsequent, i.e. same hospital admission
3057	Oesophagus, oesophagoscopy, therapeutic, with removal of foreign body
3065	Oesophagus, oesophagoscopy, therapeutic, with injection of varices (2000)
3121	Stomach, gastroscopy, diagnostic, with or without biopsy (independent procedure)
3122	Stomach, gastroscopy, with polypectomy
3123	Stomach, gastroscopy, with bronchoscopy or oesophagoscopy, with or without biopsy

Small Bowel Endoscopy Procedure Tariff Codes

Tariff Code	Description
3190	Small bowel enteroscopy by mouth using designated enteroscope or colonoscope
3192	Capsule endoscopy-includes the review of imaging of the small bowel and report to the referring physician

Research Findings

The following is a list of links to specific sections and graphs/charts that report the research findings from the on-line GIE Deliverable:


• Chapter 3: Trends and Variations in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (GIE) Procure Rates - Overview and Background
  
  
• Description of Trends in GIE Procedure Rates - by Age Group, Sex, Health Region of Residence and Income Quintile