Patient experience with endoscopic ultrasound and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography for pancreatic cancer screening (The PATRIOT study).

[BACKGROUND] EUS and MRCP are considered equivalent for pancreatic cancer screening. ASGE guidelines suggest that the choice between these modalities should be based upon patient preferences, however, there is limited data to help guide clinicians.

[METHODS] All consecutive patients undergoing pancreatic cancer screening who had undergone both EUS and MRCP between 2021 and 2024 were identified. We also selected a comparison cohort of patients undergoing pancreatic cyst surveillance. A survey to elicit patient preferences and experience regarding physical discomfort, anxiety, dread, convenience, reassurance and cancer worry was administered to both groups.

[RESULTS] Of 150 pancreatic cancer screening patients approached, 74 % agreed to participate. We compared mean response scores between EUS and MRCP and found patients favored EUS: less claustrophobia(p = 0.001), less dread(p = 0.02), more reassurance(p = 0.01), and more likely to recommend to family(p = 0.059). While 41.4 % reported no overall preference, 33.3 % preferred EUS and 25.2 % MRCP. Of 70/150(47 %) pancreatic cyst surveillance patients who responded, no difference in anxiety, dread or reassurance was noted between EUS and MRCP, but patients reported more claustrophobia with MRCP(p = 0.001). However, patients were more likely to recommend MRCP to family(p = 0.055). While 36.8 % reported no overall preference, 44.1 % preferred MRCP and 19.1 % EUS. Higher levels of cancer worry were reported by screening than cyst surveillance patients, but both groups reported that this rarely interfered with daily activities.

[CONCLUSIONS] Almost 60 % of patients prefer one screening modality over the other, with a trend towards screening patients favoring EUS and cyst surveillance patients MRCP. These findings support a patient-centered individualized approach to pancreatic cancer screening.