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.