Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gastrointestinal endoscopy activity in France

Abstract

Background and study aims: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has strongly affected medical activity around the world. We sought to measure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the gastrointestinal endoscopic activity in France. Methods: We performed a web-based survey, including 35 questions on the responders and their endoscopic practice, from March 23rd to March 27th 2020, sent to the 3300 French gastroenterologists practicing endoscopy. Results: 694 (21%) gastrointestinal endoscopists provided analyzable data. 29.4% (204/694) were involved in the management of COVID-19 patients outside the endoscopy departments, and 98.7% (685/694) of the endoscopic procedures were canceled. 12.8% (89/694) of the gastroenterologists reported symptoms compatible with COVID-19 infection, and a positive PCR was recorded in 12/197 (6.1%) vs. 3/497 (0.6%) patients in the high vs. low prevalence areas, p<0.0001. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a major reduction in the volume of gastrointestinal endoscopies performed in France in March 2020. The prolonged limited access to gastrointestinal endoscopy could lead to a delay in the management of patients with gastrointestinal cancers.

Colorectal screening: We have not caught up. A surge of colorectal cancer after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic?

“… 5 , 6 , 7 Our results are consistent with results of other recent studies. 8 The novelty of our current report is the analysis of the post-COVID lockdown activity, which raises a public health concern. The rate of colonoscopies performed had reverted to baselines levels at the end of the pandemic lockdown.…”

Air circulation in a gastrointestinal light source box and endoscope in the era of SARS-CoV-2 and airborne transmission of microorganisms

“…Health care professionals in endoscopy units are at increased risk of infection from SARS-CoV-2 8 and infection prevention has been shown to be effective in ensuring the safety of both health care professionals and patients. The ESGE recommendations published in 2018 specified that microorganisms may be spread from one patient to another or from patients to staff members by inadequately reprocessed equipment, but there is no description and no recommendations about the risk of transmission of microorganisms in the air through a gastrointestinal endoscope 2 .…”

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in the Era of COVID-19

“…Appropriate donning and doffing of the PPE is essential to reduce the risk of infection (27). Belle et al noted that gastroenterologists who performed procedures on COVID-19 patients have reported symptoms compatible with COVID-19 ranging from 0.6% (3/497 patients) in low prevalence areas compared to 6.1% (12/197) in high prevalence areas (16). Similarly, Chen et al reported that 5.7% (8/141 patients) reported that gastroenterologists or their colleagues developed workrelated COVID-19 infections (17).…”

“…Furthermore, the staging and palliation of cancers to aid in managing these lesions are increasingly being performed (15). The COVID-19 pandemic has forced these endoscopy centers to drastically reduce the procedure volume for both elective and semi-urgent cases to reduce transmission risk and preserve PPE (16)(17)(18)(19).…”