The study by Shaheen and colleagues (Gut 2004;53:1736–44) is the results of a decision analysis model which determined the cost effectiveness of various management strategies for high grade dysplasia in Barrett’s oesophagus. We were surprised to note that the authors of this article did not reference our analysis which was published in July 2003.¹ Our model and analysis had conclusions that were identical to those published by Shaheen et al. Similarities included the finding that endoscopic ablation (photodynamic therapy in our model) results in the greatest number of quality adjusted life years with similar incremental cost effectiveness ratios (ICER) compared with endoscopic surveillance. Also, both of our analyses found that endoscopic surveillance was less expensive than endoscopic ablation but associated with shorter survival.

The authors …