SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Colonoscopy”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

PubMed2006

The Norwegian Gastronet project: Continuous quality improvement of colonoscopy in 14 Norwegian centres.

OBJECTIVE: The burden on colonoscopy capacity is considerable and expected to increase further as colorectal cancer screening programmes gain a foothold in Europe. In this situation, it is particularly important to evaluate the quality of the service given. In this article we present our first year of experience with a quality network of endoscopy centres in Norway (Gastronet). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire focusing on caecal intubation rate and pain was completed by the endoscopist (on site) and patient (on the day after the examination). Fourteen centres participated with registration of 7370 colonoscopies by 73 endoscopists. RESULTS: There was 100% endoscopist participation, 87% coverage of colonoscopies and an estimated 76% questionnaire coverage of the patient population. Overall caecal intubation rate was 91%, range 83% to 97% between centres (p < 0.001). Patients reporting severe pain during colonoscopy differed from 2 to 24% between centres (p < 0.001). Variations could only partly be explained by differences in procedure practice (sedation, CO2 insufflation). For individual endoscopists, improvement after feedback on performance was restricted to the group of endoscopists having contributed with only 50-99 registered colonoscopies. CONCLUSIONS: In quality assurance programmes we recommend a limited number of variables for registration in order to secure high compliance by endoscopists and patients. One year of experience with Gastronet disclosed a satisfactory overall caecal intubation rate, but considerable variation between centres in practice and ability to offer painless colonoscopy. This suggests a need for formal, centralized training of colonoscopists or the development of quality standards for colonoscopy training and practice.

Cecum↗

PubMed1999

Effect of oxygen on tachycardia and arterial oxygen saturation during colonoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of supplementary oxygen on heart rate and arterial oxygen saturation during colonoscopy. DESIGN: Controlled study. SETTING: Two university hospitals, Denmark. SUBJECTS: 40 patients having colonoscopy. INTERVENTIONS: 20 patients were given supplementary oxygen through nasal prongs (2 L/min), and 20 patients breathed room air during colonoscopy. All patients were given conscious sedation and were monitored with a pulse oximeter during colonoscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Tachycardia (pulse rate>100 min(-1)) and arterial oxygen desaturation (SpO2<90%) during colonoscopy. RESULTS: There were no differences in the incidence of tachycardia or mean heart rate during endoscopy between the two groups, and no patient developed symptomatic cardiac arrhythmias or hypotensive episodes. 10 patients in the room air compared with none in the oxygen treatment group (p = 0.0004) had one or more episodes during which arterial oxygen saturation fell below 90% during colonoscopy, and mean oxygen saturation was higher in the oxygen treatment group than in the room air group (p < 0.001). No clinical complications occurred in either group. CONCLUSION: Hypoxaemia and tachycardia are common during routine colonoscopy. The use of supplemental oxygen prevented hypoxaemia, but had no significant effect on heart rate.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy as the initial evaluation of pediatric patients with colitis: a survey of physician behavior and a cost analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric patients presenting with colitis, suggestive of inflammatory bowel disease, undergo evaluation with either flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Our objectives were to assess current practice behavior in the evaluation of pediatric patients with colitis and to determine whether flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy was more cost-effective as the initial evaluation. METHODS: Practice behavior and procedure charges were assessed using a nationwide survey, and costs for diagnostic strategies were compared using a decision analysis program. RESULTS: The vast majority of survey respondents would proceed with colonoscopy if colitis suggestive of Crohn's disease was noted in the rectosigmoid area (81%) or if ulcerative colitis extended proximal to the rectosigmoid area (70%). If colonoscopy would follow if flexible sigmoidoscopy suggested either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease (67%), then colonoscopy would result in a savings of 23%. If the evaluation was predetermined to be limited to flexible sigmoidoscopy (16%), then flexible sigmoidoscopy was the cost-effective strategy with savings of 29%. If colonoscopy would follow flexible sigmoidoscopy for Crohn's colitis only (13%), there was no clear cost advantage. CONCLUSIONS: The most cost-effective strategy depends on the physician's need to know the disease location. Our survey results indicate that most physicians chose to establish the extent of disease in both ulcerative colitis and in Crohn's disease; thus initial colonoscopy would be the more cost-effective strategy. When knowledge of disease distribution is not essential for patient care, flexible sigmoidoscopy can lead to substantial cost savings.

Child↗

PubMed1990

Surveillance colonoscopy after resection for colon carcinoma.

Periodic surveillance colonoscopy was used to assess 207 asymptomatic patients with a previous history of colorectal carcinoma for 2 to 8 years. Thirty-five percent of the patients had a neoplastic lesion greater than or equal to 5 mm in diameter on initial colonoscopy. Synchronous or metachronous carcinomas were found in 11 patients; and of these second carcinomas, 82% were localized. The risk of a second carcinoma developing did not correlate with a finding of neoplastic polyps on the initial colonoscopy. Six recurrent carcinomas at the anastomosis were demonstrated. The stage of the recurrence correlated well with the stage of the primary carcinoma. Two negative colonoscopies at 1-year intervals were necessary to ensure that the colon had been cleared of neoplastic lesions. This study shows that surveillance colonoscopy in patients with a history of colorectal carcinoma has a high yield and is capable of detecting localized, asymptomatic carcinoma. After two annual colonoscopies fail to show neoplasms, surveillance colonoscopy may be scheduled at 3- to 5-year intervals.

Adenoma↗

PubMed2002

The yield of colonoscopy in average-risk patients with non-specific colonic symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: The need for full colonoscopies in average-risk patients with non-specific colonic symptoms is controversial. We aimed to evaluate: (1) the yield of full colonoscopy; (2) the prevalence of proximal neoplasia in these patients; (3) the yield if any of doing full colonoscopies to diagnose proximal lesions in patients in whom the distal colon was clear; (4) the significance of this yield with respect to age. DESIGN: This is a retrospective analysis to assess the value of open access colonoscopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent a colonoscopy in our Endoscopy Unit during January 1996 to December 1999 were assessed (n = 3357). RESULTS: We analysed 945 patients with average risk and non-specific colonic symptoms (significant risk factors excluded). The overall yield of adenomas was 5.8%. The yield of distal adenomas in patients > or= 50 years of age was 8.2% (37 out of 450) versus 0.2% in the 50 years group (one out of 495; = 0.0001). The proximal adenoma yield in > or= 50 year olds was 3.8% (17 out of 495) versus 0.2% in < 50 year olds (one out of 495) (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of average-risk patients with non-specific colonic symptoms attending an "open access" colonoscopy clinic, the yield for proximal adenomas is small in the < 50 years group. In patients aged < 50 years, distal colonic examination is all that is required, whereas a full colonoscopy may be justified in patients > or = 50 years old.

Adenoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Incident rates of colonic neoplasia according to age and gender: implications for surveillance colonoscopy intervals.

INTRODUCTION: Current guidelines endorse surveillance colonoscopy at 3 to 5 years following initial detection of neoplasia. However, individual patients' risks may vary according to age and gender. This study aimed to characterize neoplasia recurrence in a large patient cohort undergoing surveillance colonoscopy. METHODS: All patients undergoing two colonoscopies at least 12 months apart between 1996 and 2000, with detection and removal of a polyp on the index colonoscopy, were identified using our endoscopic database to determine the incidence of colonic neoplasia. Patients were classified according to age (<50, 50-64, 65-74, > or =75 years) and gender. RESULTS: Overall, 1803 patients underwent two colonoscopies at least 12 months apart (median interval, 140 weeks) with removal of a polyp on initial examination. Polyps > or =5 mm were detected in 334 (19%) patients and polyps > or =10 mm in 105 (6%) on subsequent endoscopy. All age and gender groups were well matched with respect to size of polyp detected on initial colonoscopy (P = 0.2). Kaplan-Meier curves and a Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated similar rates of neoplasia recurrence for all patients irrespective of age and gender. CONCLUSIONS: Similar rates of neoplasia recurrence were observed among patients of different gender and age groups on surveillance colonoscopy. From a health resource utilization perspective, these findings support current recommendations for similar surveillance intervals for patients regardless of age and gender.

Adenoma↗

PubMed2007

Anxiety and pain symptoms in children with inflammatory bowel disease and functional gastrointestinal disorders undergoing colonoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare pain and anxiety scores between children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and those with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) undergoing colonoscopy and to examine the role of anxiety and procedure length in predicting reports of pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children ages 10 to 18 years undergoing colonoscopy (general anesthesia) for the first time completed pain and anxiety questionnaires immediately before the procedure and a pain questionnaire 48 hours after colonoscopy. The diagnosis was determined by chart review and physician interview. RESULTS: Children with FGID had a longer duration of pain than those with IBD. Children with FGID endorsed a greater total number of the pain descriptors. The FGID group reported higher usual pain severity and greater postprocedural pain. No differences in anxiety were reported. However, higher levels of anxiety were associated with higher pain scores at the time of colonoscopy in children with IBD. It required significantly more time to perform colonoscopy in the IBD group than in the FGID group. Longer procedure duration was positively correlated with pain in children with FGID but not in children with IBD. CONCLUSIONS: Children with FGID report more usual pain symptoms and may describe more pain after a colonoscopy when compared with children with IBD. Anxiety appears to play a role in pain severity after colonoscopy in children presenting with IBD, but not in children with FGID.

Abdominal Pain↗

PubMed2005

The European panel on the appropriateness of gastrointestinal endoscopy guidelines colonoscopy in an open-access endoscopy unit: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The demand for gastrointestinal endoscopy is increasing in most developed countries, resulting in an important rise in overall costs and waiting lists for endoscopic procedures. Therefore, adherence to appropriate indications for these procedures is essential for the rational use of finite resources in an open-access system. AIM: To assess indications and appropriateness of colonoscopy according to the European Panel on the Appropriateness of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (EPAGE) criteria. METHODS: From May to June 2004, all consecutive patients referred to our Unit for open-access colonoscopy were considered for inclusion in this prospective study. Appropriateness of each colonoscopy was established according to the EPAGE criteria. In order to evaluate whether appropriateness of use correlated with the diagnostic yield of colonoscopy, relevant endoscopic findings were also recorded. RESULTS: A total of 350 consecutive patients were included in the study. In 38 of them, the colonoscopy indication was not listed in the EPAGE guidelines and, consequently, they were not evaluated. In the remaining 312 patients, the indication for the procedure was considered inappropriate in 73 (23%) patients. Both referring doctor characteristics (specialty and health care setting) and patient data (age) correlated with appropriateness of endoscopy. The diagnostic yield was significantly higher for appropriate colonoscopies (42%) than in those judged inappropriate (21%) (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A noteworthy proportion of patients referred for colonoscopy to an open-access endoscopy unit are considered inappropriate because of their indication, with significant differences among specialties. These results suggest that implementation of validated guidelines for its appropriate use could improve this situation and, considering the correlation between appropriateness and diagnostic yield, even contribute to improve the prognosis of patients with colorectal diseases.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Colonoscopy: how far is enough?

Total colonoscopy is arguably the best method available for examination of the colon and rectum. Colonoscopy costs are high and rising and it may be that in the future practitioners will be unable to afford to colonoscope all of the patients presently being examined. This retrospective study was undertaken in an attempt to examine the cost, in terms of lesions missed, of a limited endoscopy programme. During a 15 year period, 1426 colonoscopies were performed at Wellington Hospital, New Zealand. Total colonoscopy was possible in 79% of all patients. Three perforations occurred. Nine patients bled and two required blood transfusion after biopsy or 'snaring' of polyps. After exclusion of patients with continuous inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) 75% of all lesions were found in or distal to the descending colon. More cancers were found in patients colonoscoped because of bleeding. Thirty-two of 93 cancers diagnosed were proximal to the descending colon but 18 presented with bleeding. A further seven had a radiological abnormality. Only 7.5% of colorectal cancers would be missed by flexible sigmoidoscopy (65 cm) and 75% of the costs of total colonoscopy would be avoided if only patients presenting with bleeding and IBD were offered total colonoscopy and patients with radiological abnormalities were treated according to the abnormality. This compromise, based on the data presented, may represent a rational way to reduce colonoscopy costs.

Colonic Neoplasms↗

PubMed1998

Diagnostic failure in colonoscopies for malignant disease.

BACKGROUND: While colonoscopy has become established as more accurate than double contrast barium enema for detecting colonic polyps and cancers, as well as offering the opportunity for therapy, there are occasional instances where colonoscopy is misleading. The present study is to determine what problems occur, with a view to finding a solution. METHODS: The records of the Colorectal Project at the Princess Alexandra Hospital indicate retrospectively that 346 patients have been correctly diagnosed with cancer of the colon and rectum by colonoscopy in the 5 years up to October 1996. During the same time eight patients (2.3%) were recorded at the same hospital as being misdiagnosed by colonoscopy, the lesion being either missed completely or misplaced. RESULTS: In five of these patients there was failure to recognize that the whole colon had not been examined endoscopically, thereby missing a more proximal lesion. In two patients the lesion was missed although the entire colon was examined. In one patient the lesion was discovered but inaccurately sited. Six of these mistakes would have been obviated by the routine use of fluoroscopy to confirm the totality of the colonoscopy and to site any lesions found. The other two cases occurred because of failure to remember that colonic examination during withdrawal should be performed meticulously back as far as the anal canal. Failure to diagnose a colon cancer on the initial colonoscopy led to an average delay of 6 months for definitive care. CONCLUSIONS: It is recommended that fluoroscopy be used routinely during colonoscopy to site accurately any lesions found, and to confirm the completeness of insertion if reliable landmarks, including terminal ileum, are not clearly identified.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Completion rate to caecum as a quality measure of colonoscopy in a district general hospital.

OBJECTIVE: Published colonoscopy completion rates vary substantially and audits suggest they often fall short of the 85% completion rate to caecum considered acceptable by some authorities. We audited colonoscopy completion rates in our unit and aimed to investigate reasons for failure. METHODS: We analysed all colonoscopies, including those by trainees, performed in a district general hospital over a 16-month period. Reasons for failure to complete were investigated and alterations to working practices made where necessary. RESULTS: The unit had an 89.1% completion rate overall (95% CI 87-92%) with rates varying from 75% to 97% for individuals. Colorectal carcinomas were detected in 3.9% of all colonoscopies of which 17% occurred proximal to the caecum and 16% in the ascending colon. Working practices in those endoscopists felt not to be meeting targets were altered and a re-audit confirmed a trend towards improvement in those individuals. Using these data we also identified a definite learning curve in trainees, with at least 40 procedures required to meet the target of 85% completion rate to caecum. CONCLUSION: In a District General Hospital high standards of colonoscopy can be achieved. Reasons for failure to complete colonoscopy to the caecum are many and often they are beyond the control of the colonoscopist (e.g. poor preparation, obstructing lesion). Colonoscopy to the caecum is not always necessary and is not a good measure of the quantity of colonic mucosa visualized. We have reservations with regard to using this target alone as a measure of quality.

Colonoscopy↗

PubMed2006

Anxieties should not be forgotten when screening relatives of colorectal cancer patients by colonoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: Individuals with a strong family history have a high risk of developing colorectal cancer. They could well benefit from targeted screening and their increased risk warrants an invasive procedure such as colonoscopy. This study aims to assess the anxieties of symptom-free relatives offered screening by colonoscopy. METHOD: A simple questionnaire was sent to 50 consecutive people who had colorectal cancer screening by colonoscopy because of a strong family history. RESULTS: Forty-five questionnaires were answered. On assessing their anxiety levels before and after colonoscopy, 56% noticed an improvement after the test, 33% were still as anxious and 11% had raised anxiety levels despite screening. Although most of the screening colonoscopies were normal, 44% of asymptomatic relatives undergoing invasive screening had no improvement of their cancer anxieties. CONCLUSION: Screening people with a strong family history of colorectal cancer may be an efficient, cost-effective and focussed way of detecting early neoplasms rather than screening the general population. Using colonoscopy alone however, a large proportion of people still have cancer anxieties after being screened. This small study suggests that in order to attempt to alleviate anxieties, a colonoscopy alone is insufficient for some in this high-risk group.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Predictors of nonadherence to screening colonoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy has become a preferred colorectal cancer (CRC) screening modality. Little is known about why patients who are referred for colonoscopy do not complete the recommended procedures. Prior adherence studies have evaluated colonoscopy only in combination with flexible sigmoidoscopy, failed to differentiate between screening and diagnostic procedures, and have examined cancellations/no-shows, but not nonscheduling, as mechanisms of nonadherence. METHODS: Sociodemographic predictors of screening completion were assessed in a retrospective cohort of 647 patients referred for colonoscopy at a major university hospital. Then, using a qualitative study design, a convenience sample of patients who never completed screening after referral (n=52) was interviewed by telephone, and comparisons in reported reasons for nonadherence were made by gender. RESULTS: Half of all patients referred for colonoscopy failed to complete the procedure, overwhelmingly because of nonscheduling. In multivariable analysis, female sex, younger age, and insurance type predicted poorer adherence. Patient-reported barriers to screening completion included cognitive-emotional factors (e.g., lack of perceived risk for CRC, fear of pain, and concerns about modesty and the bowel preparation), logistic obstacles (e.g., cost, other health problems, and competing demands), and health system barriers (e.g., scheduling challenges, long waiting times). Women reported more concerns about modesty and other aspects of the procedure than men. Only 40% of patients were aware of alternative screening options. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to screening colonoscopy referrals is sub-optimal and may be improved by better communication with patients, counseling to help resolve logistic barriers, and improvements in colonoscopy referral and scheduling mechanisms.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Colonoscopy accurately predicts the anatomical severity of colonic Crohn's disease attacks: correlation with findings from colectomy specimens.

OBJECTIVE: For the assessment of colonic Crohn's disease (CCD) attacks, no clinicobiological and/or morphological (endoscopic, radiological) criteria of severity have been validated in relation to anatomical criteria of severity (ACS) as a gold standard obtained from colectomy specimen examination. Our objective was to assess the accuracy of colonoscopy in predicting the anatomical severity grading of CCD. METHODS: Colectomy specimens from 78 consecutive patients operated between 1982 and 1996 for CCD resistant to medical treatment were analyzed and classified into two groups according to the presence (ACS+) or absence (ACS-) of ACS. These were defined as either deep ulcerations eroding the muscle layer, or mucosal detachments or ulcerations limited to the submucosa but extending to more than one third of one defined colonic segment (right, transverse, left colon). Three endoscopic criteria of severity (ECS) were then defined: 1) deep ulcerations eroding the muscle layer (ECS1), 2) deep ulcerations not eroding the muscle layer but involving more than one third of the mucosal area (ECS2), and 3) mucosal detachment on the edge of ulcerations (ECS3). RESULTS: According to colectomy specimen examination, 68 and 10 patients belonged to ACS+ and ACS- groups, respectively. ECS1, ECS2, and/or ECS3 were found in 70 patients. Positive predictive values of ECS1, ECS2, and ECS3 for the presence of ACS were 90%, 98%, and 92%, respectively. Negative predictive values were 43%, 72%, and 23% respectively. However, at least one ECS (ECS1, ECS2, or ECS3) was found in 95% of patients with ACS. The extent of ulcerations at colonoscopy was correlated to the results of colectomy specimen examination (p < 0.001). Taking into account only patients with ACS, 88% of those with at least one ECS were diagnosed through left side colonoscopy. Usual clinical and biological severity criteria were not different in ACS + and ACS- groups. Two cases of toxic megacolon and toxic shocks were observed after the colonoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: In experienced hands, colonoscopy can be useful in severe CCD attacks. When at least one ECS is found, colonoscopy predicts the anatomical severity of the colitis with a high probability. Conversely, when none of the three ECSs is found, colonoscopy can reasonably exclude the diagnosis of severe anatomical CCD.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Patient preferences for CT colonography, conventional colonoscopy, and bowel preparation.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine patient pre-examination expectations and postexamination appraisals for CT colonography, conventional colonoscopy and bowel preparation. METHODS: Prospective evaluation of 120 patients at defined risk for colorectal neoplasia was performed with CT colonography followed by colonoscopy on the same day. Subjects were stratified by age and sex (67 women and 53 men) and were randomized to receive either manual air (n = 61) or CO(2) (n = 59) insufflation during CT colonography. Patients' expectations were assessed just before the two examinations, and appraisals were assessed 2 to 3 days afterward regarding pain/discomfort, embarrassment, difficulty, overall assessment, preference for future testing, and bowel preparation. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in appraisals of manual air versus CO(2) insufflation techniques. For both CT colonography and colonoscopy, patients' appraisals after the procedure were significantly more positive than prior expectations. Patients expressed more favorable appraisals of colonoscopy for pain (p < 0.001) and embarrassment (p < 0.001), with most responses being "none" to "a little" for both examinations. Overall appraisals of the tests were favorable and similar between CT and colonoscopy: patients mainly expressed "not unpleasant" to "a little unpleasant" (95%, 114/120 for both examinations). Overall, appraisal of the bowel preparation was the most negative. Preferences for future testing were more favorable toward CT: of the patients, 58% (69/120) preferred CT, 14% (17/120) preferred colonoscopy, and 28% (34/120) had no preference. CONCLUSIONS: Overall appraisals were similar and positive for both CT colonography and colonoscopy, with less favorable appraisals of the bowel preparation. Most patients stated that they would prefer CT for future evaluation.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Endoscopic findings of diverticular inflammation in colonoscopy patients without clinical acute diverticulitis: prevalence and endoscopic spectrum.

OBJECTIVE: Experienced colonoscopists sometimes encounter endoscopic findings of diverticular inflammation in patients without clinical evidence of acute diverticulitis. Our aim was to describe the spectrum and prevalence of such endoscopic findings in a consecutive series of patients undergoing colonoscopy. METHODS: During elective colonoscopy performed by a single endoscopist on 2566 consecutive outpatients, 21 patients were identified with endoscopic evidence of diverticular inflammation. RESULTS: Endoscopic findings included erythema and edema of a diverticular opening (n = 8), pus emanating from a diverticular orifice (n = 8), and a polypoid mass of granulation tissue in a diverticular orifice (n = 15). Follow-up was obtained by telephone in 17 patients at a mean of 11.9 months after colonoscopy. Only one patient had symptoms of diverticulitis at the time of colonoscopy. This patient improved with antibiotic therapy. Six of the 21 patients had experienced symptoms of abdominal pain or fever, but only one had a diagnosed episode of acute diverticulitis before colonoscopy. None of the patients had acute diverticulitis during the follow-up interval. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic findings of diverticular inflammation were identified in about 0.8% of patients undergoing colonoscopy without clinical evidence of diverticulitis. Most patients are asymptomatic at the time of colonoscopy, and antibiotic therapy is generally unnecessary.

Academic Medical Centers↗

PubMed2004

Evaluation of polyp detection in relation to procedure time of screening or surveillance colonoscopy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Multiple factors influence the yield of colonoscopy for the detection of neoplasia. Few studies have addressed the impact of colonoscopy duration on procedure yield. The aim of our study was to determine whether endoscopist-specific procedure times correlate with the number and clinical significance of polyps detected at screening or surveillance colonoscopy. METHODS: Procedural data from screening or surveillance colonoscopies performed at Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN, between January 1, 1996 and June 30, 2000, were reviewed. Individual endoscopists were characterized by their personal endoscopist procedure mean time (EPMT) to perform a negative colonoscopy. Procedure time included patient's consent and sedation. EPMT was then correlated with individual polyp detection rates. RESULTS: Overall, 10,159 colonoscopies were reviewed of which 4,312 (42.4%) yielded polyps. Polyp detection varied among endoscopists between 19.0% and 62.3%. There was a close correlation between EPMT and polyp yield (all sizes), r = 0.64, although correlation was weaker for polyps >10 mm (r = 0.42) and polyps >20 mm (r = 0.20). On multivariate analysis, longer mean endoscopist time was associated with colonic lesion detection, OR = 1.54 (95% CI 1.37-1.62). Longer mean procedure duration demonstrated a looser association with identification of polyps >10 mm, OR = 1.40 (1.19-1.64) and polyps >20 mm, OR = 1.03 (0.74-1.43). CONCLUSIONS: There is a direct correlation between colonoscopy procedure time and yield, with a three-fold variation of polyp detection rates. These results should prompt future prospective studies assessing the impact of colonoscopic withdrawal time on lesion detection.

Colonoscopy↗

PubMed2005

Urgent colonoscopy for evaluation and management of acute lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that early intervention in patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) would improve outcomes and therefore conducted a prospective randomized study comparing urgent colonoscopy to standard care. METHODS: Consecutive patients presenting with LGIB without upper or anorectal bleeding sources were randomized to urgent purge preparation followed immediately by colonoscopy or a standard care algorithm based on angiographic intervention and expectant colonoscopy. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients were randomized to each group. A definite source of bleeding was found more often in urgent colonoscopy patients (diverticula, 13; angioectasia, 4; colitis, 4) than in the standard care group (diverticula, 8; colitis, 3) (the odds ratio for the difference among the groups was 2.6; 95% CI 1.1-6.2). In the urgent colonoscopy group, 17 patients received endoscopic therapy; in the standard care group, 10 patients had angiographic hemostasis. There was no difference in outcomes among the two groups-including: mortality 2%versus 4%, hospital stay 5.8 versus 6.6 days, ICU stay 1.8 versus 2.4 days, transfusion requirements 4.2 versus 5 units, early rebleeding 22%versus 30%, surgery 14%versus 12%, or late rebleeding 16%versus 14% (mean follow-up of 62 and 58 months). CONCLUSION: Although urgent colonoscopy identified a definite source of LGIB more often than a standard care algorithm based on angiography and expectant colonoscopy, the approaches are not significantly different with regard to important outcomes. Thus, decisions concerning care for patients with acute LGIB should be based on individual experience and local expertise.

Aged↗